A new survey reveals a concerning trend in public knowledge regarding cervical cancer and the human papillomavirus (HPV). The study found that awareness of the link between the two diseases has declined in recent years, despite significant efforts to raise awareness and education about the link between HPV and cervical cancer. This article will explore the findings of the survey, the potential reasons for the decline in awareness, and the implications of these trends for public health and disease prevention efforts.
According to a recent survey presented at the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting, awareness among Americans that the human papillomavirus (HPV) causes not only cervical cancer, but also anal, penile, and oral cancer, has declined in recent years. The study, funded by Henry Ford Health, found that 70.2% of respondents in 2020 knew that HPV can cause cervical cancer, down from 77.6% in 2014. Awareness of other forms of cancer caused by HPV, such as anal, oral, and penile cancer, remained at low levels throughout the study, despite the fact that HPV is now known to be responsible for nearly 45,000 HPV-associated cancers diagnosed annually in the United States. Of these cases, nearly 60% are detected in women and 40% in men.
HPV is a common infection and is spread through intimate skin-to-skin contact during vaginal, anal, or oral sex. More than 42 million Americans are currently infected with types of HPV that can cause disease. Each year, about 13 million Americans become infected. At present, only 54.5% of U.S. adolescents have received all recommended doses of the HPV vaccine, a long way short of the 80% target set by the U.S. government.
The study’s lead author, Eric Adjei Boakye, Ph.D., assistant scientist in the Department of Health Sciences and the Department of Otolaryngology at Henry Ford Health in Detroit, noted that over 90% of HPV-associated cancers could be prevented with the HPV vaccination. However, vaccine uptake remains suboptimal. He recommends that the public needs to be educated that HPV can cause all four of the cancer types included in the study, as well as vulvar and vaginal cancer.
Adjei Boakye suggests that the multiple causes for the decline in awareness about HPV and cervical cancer will require multiple strategies to reverse. One cause is the increased focus on training health care providers to promote and administer the vaccine, which may have diverted resources from public information campaigns. Future research may assess public opinion on the vaccine in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ultimately, boosting awareness will require a concerted effort from health care providers, public health experts, and government agencies. Adjei Boakye argues that providers should use every clinical visit as an opportunity to educate patients about the causal link between HPV and HPV-associated cancers and the cancer prevention benefits of the HPV vaccine. By increasing the population’s awareness of this link, Adjei Boakye hopes to increase vaccine uptake and improve public health.
In conclusion, the recent survey conducted by researchers has shed light on the unfortunate decline in awareness about the link between HPV and cervical cancer. This underscores the dire need for increased education and understanding about this crucial issue. It is crucial to spread awareness and knowledge about the importance of regular screenings and vaccinations to prevent and catch cervical cancer in its early stages. With the right information and action, we can work towards reducing the incidence and impact of cervical cancer. Let us all take responsibility and work together towards a healthier future for ourselves and the generations to come.
