Human Papillomavirus-Attributable Cancers - United States, 2012-2016

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Epidemiology
• Vaccinology

Background:

• Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a primary cause of cervical, oropharyngeal, anal, and other cancers.
• Persistent HPV infection with oncogenic types is a precursor to cancer development.
• The 9-valent HPV vaccine (9vHPV) protects against HPV types responsible for the majority of HPV-associated cancers and genital warts.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the incidence of HPV-associated cancers in the U.S. from 2012-2016.
• To estimate the number of cancers attributable to HPV, overall and by state.
• To determine the proportion of these cancers linked to HPV types targeted by the 9vHPV vaccine.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of data from the U.S. Cancer Statistics (USCS) surveillance system.
• Calculation of annual average incidence of HPV-associated cancers.
• Estimation of HPV attribution and proportion linked to 9vHPV-targeted types.

Main Results:

• An average of 43,999 HPV-associated cancers were reported annually.
• An estimated 34,800 (79%) cancers were HPV-attributable.
• Of these, 32,100 (92%) were linked to 9vHPV-targeted types, with cervical and oropharyngeal cancers being most common.

Conclusions:

• HPV vaccination is a critical strategy for preventing a significant proportion of HPV-associated cancers.
• Surveillance data are essential for informing HPV vaccination and cancer screening efforts.
• Low HPV vaccination rates among adolescents underscore the need for enhanced public health interventions.