Publication Date
10-1-2021
Journal
Seminars in Radiation Oncology
DOI
10.1016/j.semradonc.2021.02.011
PMID
34455985
PMCID
PMC10124108
PubMedCentral® Posted Date
4-24-2023
PubMedCentral® Full Text Version
Author MSS
Published Open-Access
yes
Keywords
Adolescent, Alphapapillomavirus, Anus Neoplasms, Early Detection of Cancer, Female, Humans, Male, Oropharyngeal Neoplasms, Papillomaviridae, Papillomavirus Infections, Uterine Cervical Neoplasms
Abstract
It is estimated that 5% of the global cancer burden, or approximately 690,000 cancer cases annually, is attributable to human papillomavirus (HPV). Primary prevention through prophylactic vaccination is the best option for reducing the burden of HPV-related cancers. Most high-income countries (HICs) have introduced the HPV vaccine and are routinely vaccinating adolescent boys and girls. Unfortunately, although they suffer the greatest morbidity and mortality due to HPV-related cancers, many lower- and middle-income countries (LMICs) have been unable to initiate and sustain vaccination programs. Secondary prevention in the form of screening has led to substantial declines in cervical cancer incidence in areas with established screening programs, but LMICs with absent or inadequate screening programs have high incidence rates. Meanwhile, HICs have seen incidence rates of anal and oropharyngeal cancers rise owing to the limited availability of organized screening for anal cancer and no validated screening options for oropharyngeal cancer. The implementation of screening programs for individuals at high risk of these cancers has the potential to reduce the burden of cervical cancer in LMICs, of anal and oropharyngeal cancers in HICs, and of anal cancer for highly selected HIV+ populations in LMICs. This review will discuss primary prevention of HPV-related cancers through vaccination and secondary prevention through screening of cervical, anal, and oropharyngeal cancers. Areas of concern and highlights of successes already achieved are included.
Included in
Diseases Commons, Epidemiology Commons, Medical Sciences Commons, Medical Specialties Commons