'Concerning lack of awareness' around HPV virus and links to cancer in Ireland

New research has shown that only 3 in 10 people in Ireland fully understand what HPV (Human Papillomavirus) is, revealing a concerning lack of awareness about the virus and its link to various cancers.

In Ireland, HPV infection causes an estimated 538 cancer cases per annum in men and women, with as many as 180 people dying in Ireland each year from HPV-related cancers.

There are many different types of HPV, and most infections have no symptoms and clear naturally within two years, thanks to our own immune systems.

When HPV infection doesn’t clear naturally, it becomes a problem as it could lead to certain related diseases, such as genital warts, anal cancer, and cervical cancer. 

People with weakened immune systems, such as those living with HIV/AIDS, may be less able to clear HPV infections, and more likely to develop health problems from the virus.

"HPV is so common, that most sexually active men and women will have the virus at some point in their lives, which means that many of us will have it without even knowing we’ve had it,"Bernie Carter, Assistant Director of Nursing Services at the Marie Keating Foundation said.

"For most of us, our bodies will naturally resolve the issue over time, but for others, it can cause complications such as genital warts and even certain cancers in both men and women."

The new research was carried out by Ipsos B&A on behalf of MSD Ireland, polling a representative sample of over 1,400 people in Ireland to examine awareness and perceptions of HPV.

It comes ahead of the 2024 HPV Aware campaign launched by MSD Ireland and supported by the Irish Cancer Society, the Marie Keating Foundation and CERVIVA.

Results from the consumer research show that 62% are now aware that HPV can cause cancer, increasing steadily year-on-year, however 36% of respondents are not aware that HPV can cause certain cancers in males.

47% of respondents are not aware that HPV can cause genital warts in males and females.

Further highlighting potential knowledge gaps, over a quarter of all Irish people (26%) say that they do not know how HPV is spread from person to person, a 3% increase on the previous year.

HPV is spread through intimate skin-to-skin contact, including vaginal, anal, or oral sex, even if the infected person doesn’t have any signs or symptoms.

The research shows 76% of people think that it is unlikely that they have ever had HPV in their lifetime and just 4% of people can correctly identify that HPV is extremely common.

It illustrates a continuing stagnation in awareness levels, with 34% of people saying they have no awareness that vaccines may help to prevent certain types of cancers, a 3% decline in awareness when compared with the previous year.

However the survey has revealed positive changes in public perceptions and awareness around HPV prevention, with 3 in 4 (75%) of parents saying they were aware of a vaccine to prevent HPV.

"It's incredible to think that we can prevent this from happening, and by focusing on building awareness of the virus alongside a focus on prevention, screening and treatment, we can eliminate a disease like cervical cancer," Ms Carter continued.

Despite plateauing awareness levels, there is good news which shows the positive impact of vaccination in Ireland following a recent study in the Irish Journal of Medical Science which showed nearly a 60 per cent drop in detections of pre-cancers, suggesting that Ireland is moving in the right direction to one day achieve the goal of eliminating the disease.

For more information on the National HPV Immunisation Programme please visit www.hpv.ie, and hse.ie/immunisation/hpvadults