Dr. Rolando Fernández, a gynecologic oncology specialist at the National Institute of Neoplastic Diseases of the Ministry of Health, said on April 29 that vaccination is one of the most effective strategies to prevent cancer worldwide, especially those linked to viral infections such as Human Papillomavirus (HPV).
The statement was made during Vaccination Week in the Americas, which is being held throughout the country. Fernández said immunization against HPV and Hepatitis B can make a significant difference because HPV is associated with cancers of the vulva, vagina, penis, anus and oropharynx, while Hepatitis B is linked to liver cancer.
“Cancer is not always an inevitable disease. In many cases, we can prevent it by attacking its cause from the origin: oncogenic viruses,” Fernández said.
He explained that other viruses associated with cancer development include Hepatitis C virus, Epstein-Barr virus and HIV. These viruses can alter healthy cell DNA over time by disabling defense mechanisms and causing uncontrolled cell growth.
Fernández added that persistent infections caused by these viruses lead over years to chronic inflammation and cellular damage until malignant transformation occurs. He also pointed out that there are now safe and highly effective vaccines against two dangerous viruses: HPV and Hepatitis B.
“The vaccine against Hepatitis B was the first anti-cancer vaccine in history. And today’s HPV vaccine is one of the most powerful tools for preventing cervical cancer,” he said.
Fernández concluded: “Vaccination prevents infection; screening detects lesions early. Together they are two shields that can drastically reduce mortality.”
