Presentation (CTI)

OBJECTIVES: Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a causal factor for several cancer types, including 99% of cervical cancer cases, and other diseases including anogenital warts (AGW). Existing literature focuses primarily on cervical cancer epidemiology while trends in other HPV-related cancers and diseases remain less understood. This study explores the epidemiological trends of HPV-related cancers and diseases in the United Kingdom (UK), including cervical, vaginal, vulval, anal, penile, head and neck cancers (HNC), and diseases such as AGW.
METHODS: A longitudinal, retrospective study aggregating publicly available data on HPV-related cancers and diseases using latest available data. Incidence and mortality data was extracted from national registries across the UK, at the national and local level, based on ICD-10 codes. Population demographics and socioeconomic metrics of deprivation were collected to support causal analysis. Results were stratified by disease type, location (England, Scotland, Wales and Norther Ireland), sex, and age. Additionally, HPV attributable fractions, obtained from published literature, were applied to incidence data.
RESULTS: A continuous decline in age-standardised incident rates of AWG is evident over the last decade, and more recently in cervical cancer, meanwhile other HPV-related cancers demonstrate varying degrees of increasing trend. The HNC incidence is 2.5 times higher in males compared to females, whereas anal cancer is twice as common in women. Mortality rates for most HPV-related cancers show an upward trend over the last decade. Additionally, HPV-related cancer incidence rates are higher in the most deprived areas compared to the least deprived.
CONCLUSIONS: The epidemiological trends in the UK demonstrate the continued burden of HPV-related cancers and diseases, highlighting key similarities and differences by disease type. Ongoing surveillance and targeted public health measures are essential to address gaps in awareness and ensure equitable access to prevention strategies in order to reduce sociodemographic inequalities. Continued research and collaboration will be vital in making significant progress.