OBJECTIVES: The vast economic burden of cancer is attributable not only to direct healthcare system expenditure, but also indirect costs resulting from premature mortality and morbidity productivity losses. Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a known cause of several cancer types and other disease. This analysis aims to estimate the number of HPV-attributable cancer deaths and economic impact due to years of life lost (YLL) in the United Kingdom (UK).

METHODS: A model was developed utilizing UK 2019 mortality data sourced from country-specific databases for England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland for the following HPV-attributable cancers: head and neck (ICD-10 C00-14 and C32), cervix uteri (C53), vaginal (C51), vulval (C52), anal (C21), and penile (C60). YLL data was sourced from WHO global estimates. The proportion of deaths and YLL due to HPV were estimated using HPV attributable fractions from the published literature. A monetary value was assigned to YLL using GDP per capita and a 3.5% annual discount rate was applied. Results were stratified by country, sex and cancer site.

RESULTS: There were approximately 3,142 HPV-attributable annual deaths and 47,911 YLL in the UK in 2019, of which 54.3% were amongst females. Head and neck cancers contributed to 52.2% (1,639 deaths, 70.1% male) of HPV-attributable cancer deaths, and 42.3% of YLL. Although cervical cancer accounted for only 26.9% of deaths, it contributed to 41.4% of YLL. The total indirect cost due to premature mortality in the UK resulting from HPV-attributed cancer deaths is estimated at £279,772,245.

CONCLUSIONS: There is high disease burden in the UK for HPV-attributable cancers with a large economic impact on both the healthcare system and wider economy due to productivity losses. Results were consistent across all countries. It is critical to reduce the incidence of HPV-related diseases, and subsequent premature cancer deaths, by implementing public health measures.