Cancer HorizonsAll NewsBlogsCaregivingDiet and ExerciseFinancialPsychosocialRecipesSexual HealthSide EffectSponsoredSurvivorship
All VideosCURE ConnectionsCURE Expert Connections®CURE Speaking OutCURE TVEducated Patient Sound BitesOn Demand: Webinars
Conference Coverage Conference Listing
CURE AdventuresCURE AwardsEducated Patient In Person EducationEducated Patient Virtual Education
Advocacy GroupsArt GalleryClinical Trial CornerHeal®PartnersPodcastsPublicationsShare Your Story
Subscribe
Blood CancersBlood CancersBlood CancersBlood Cancers
Brain Cancer
Breast CancerBreast Cancer
Childhood Cancers
Gastrointestinal CancersGastrointestinal CancersGastrointestinal CancersGastrointestinal CancersGastrointestinal CancersGastrointestinal Cancers
Genitourinary CancersGenitourinary CancersGenitourinary CancersGenitourinary Cancers
Gynecologic CancerGynecologic CancerGynecologic Cancer
Head & Neck Cancer
LeukemiaLeukemiaLeukemia
Lung Cancer
LymphomaLymphomaLymphomaLymphoma
Rare CancersRare Cancers
Sarcoma
Skin Cancer/Melanoma
Thyroid Cancer
Spotlight -
  • Blogs
  • Breast Cancer Webinar Series
  • Cancer Horizons
  • Clinical Trial Corner
  • Heal®
  • Publications
  • Videos
Blood CancersBlood CancersBlood CancersBlood Cancers
Brain Cancer
Breast CancerBreast Cancer
Childhood Cancers
Gastrointestinal CancersGastrointestinal CancersGastrointestinal CancersGastrointestinal CancersGastrointestinal CancersGastrointestinal Cancers
Genitourinary CancersGenitourinary CancersGenitourinary CancersGenitourinary Cancers
Gynecologic CancerGynecologic CancerGynecologic Cancer
Head & Neck Cancer
LeukemiaLeukemiaLeukemia
Lung Cancer
LymphomaLymphomaLymphomaLymphoma
Rare CancersRare Cancers
Sarcoma
Skin Cancer/Melanoma
Thyroid Cancer
    • Subscribe
Advertisement

Article

May 20, 2021

‘Great Deal of Work’ Still Needed to Reverse Increasing Rates of Several HPV-Related Cancers

Author(s):

Audrey Sternberg
Conference|ASCO Annual Meeting

Almost 20 years of data indicate that the incidence of HPV-related cervical cancer is noticeably declining, however other cancers related to the virus continue, and are expected, to increase.

There has been a notable decline in the incidence of HPV-related cervical carcinoma over a nearly two-decade timeframe, possibly as a result of clear guidance regarding screening measures and HPV vaccination for vulnerable patient groups, according to data from a population-based study.

However, the study results also indicated that the incidence of other HPV-related cancers without clear screening guidelines are on the rise in both men and women.

“In young women, cervical carcinoma is decreasing consistently with screening, and possibly vaccination, at the population level,” lead author Dr. Cheng-I Liao, of Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, said during a presentation of the data during a news briefing leading up to the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) 2021 Annual Meeting.

Previous research has shown that HPV is associated with more than 90% of cervical and anal cancers and 60% to 75% of oropharyngeal, vulvar, vaginal and penile tumors.The purpose of this study was to assess trends in the incidence of HPV-associated cancer using the United States Cancer Statistics Database from 2001 to 2017.

In the 17-year timeframe, there were 657,317 cases of cancer, 393,298 (60%) of which were in women. The most commonly occurring cancer in female patients was cervical carcinoma (52%). Among the 264,019 men, the most common malignancy was oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC; 80%), which represents a 5-fold higher incidence compared with women.

Over the study period, cervical cancer incidence decreased by 1.03% per year, but this rate was significantly higher in patients aged 20 to 24 years who saw a much greater decrease in disease incidence, at 4.63% per year. Similar effects were seen in women over the age of 65, who saw a greater than 2% incidence decline over the study period. The study authors noted that this is likely due to the effects of HPV vaccination and screening.

However, other HPV-related cancers without standardized screening guidelines saw increases over the study period, with a 2.71% incidence rise per year in men and a 0.77% increase in women. Other HPV-associated cancers included anal and rectal SCC, oropharyngeal SCC, penile cancer, vulvar SCC and vaginal SCC.

In women over the age of 50, the annual percentage change in the incidence of anal and rectal SCC was 3.55%. When compared with the 1.53% decline in the incidence of cervical cancer in the same patient population, trends suggest that HPV-related anal and rectal SCC will surpass its incidence in the coming decade, and likely in the next five years.

“The decrease in cervical cancer is welcome news and may reflect intensive efforts to screen and vaccinate patients at risk,” ASCO President Dr. Lori J. Pierce, said in a news release. “Clearly, this study shows that we still have a great deal of work to do in order to reverse the increasing incidence rates of other HPV-related cancers.”

The authors noted that they plan to gather more information from other databases about the rate of HPV testing and vaccination. Additional research will be necessary to tackle a lack of disease screening and vaccination recommendations for HPV-associated cancers other than cervical.

For more news on cancer updates, research and education, don’t forget to subscribe to CURE®’s newsletters here.

Newsletter

Stay up to date on cancer updates, research and education

Subscribe Now!
Related Videos
Image of two doctors and text.
Imiage of two doctors with text.
Image of two doctors and text.
Image of patient and doctor.
Image of two doctors with text.
image of gerds
Image of 2 doctors and text.
Image of two doctors and text.
Image of thumbnail.
Image of doctor.
Related Content
Advertisement
Advocacy text.
June 25th 2025

When Cancer Advocacy Becomes a Lifeline

Morgan Newman
Cancer survivor Morgan Newman shares how self-advocacy helped her overcome barriers to care and find the support she needed after treatment.
A Chance of Cure for Cervical Cancer, Lymphedema Treatment Act and More
January 22nd 2024

A Chance of Cure for Cervical Cancer, Lymphedema Treatment Act and More

Alex Biese Brielle Benyon
We take a look at the first FDA approval in the oncology space for 2024, the Lymphedema Treatment Act and more.
Image of two doctors with text.
June 22nd 2025

Experts Impart Notable Information and Updates for Those With Blood Cancers

Dr. Joshua K. Sabari Dr. Nausheen Ahmed
The 2025 ASCO Annual Meeting brought many different updates to light in the realm of hematological malignancies, including multiple myeloma and lymphoma.
Kate Weissman, a gynecologic cancer survivor
November 30th 2023

Fertility Research ‘Long Overdue’ for Patients With Cervical Cancer

Alex Biese
Cervical cancer survivor Kate Weissman talks recent research on follow-up visits for patients after fertility-sparing surgery, and explains why it’s ‘something that the cervical cancer community is owed.’
Image of breast.
June 19th 2025

Breaking Down the Impact of SERENA-6 for Some With Breast Cancer

Ryan Scott
Dr. Joshua K. Sabari and Dr. Julia E. McGuinness discussed the SERENA-6 trial and its outcomes for patients with ESR1-mutated HR+/HER2— breast cancer.
Image of kidney
June 19th 2025

Why is Clinical Trial Enrollment Important for Those With Kidney Cancer?

Ryan Scott
Dr. Michael Serzan explains the importance of clinical trial enrollment for patients with kidney cancer and highlighted findings from the STELLA-002 trial.
Related Content
Advertisement
Advocacy text.
June 25th 2025

When Cancer Advocacy Becomes a Lifeline

Morgan Newman
Cancer survivor Morgan Newman shares how self-advocacy helped her overcome barriers to care and find the support she needed after treatment.
A Chance of Cure for Cervical Cancer, Lymphedema Treatment Act and More
January 22nd 2024

A Chance of Cure for Cervical Cancer, Lymphedema Treatment Act and More

Alex Biese Brielle Benyon
We take a look at the first FDA approval in the oncology space for 2024, the Lymphedema Treatment Act and more.
Image of two doctors with text.
June 22nd 2025

Experts Impart Notable Information and Updates for Those With Blood Cancers

Dr. Joshua K. Sabari Dr. Nausheen Ahmed
The 2025 ASCO Annual Meeting brought many different updates to light in the realm of hematological malignancies, including multiple myeloma and lymphoma.
Kate Weissman, a gynecologic cancer survivor
November 30th 2023

Fertility Research ‘Long Overdue’ for Patients With Cervical Cancer

Alex Biese
Cervical cancer survivor Kate Weissman talks recent research on follow-up visits for patients after fertility-sparing surgery, and explains why it’s ‘something that the cervical cancer community is owed.’
Image of breast.
June 19th 2025

Breaking Down the Impact of SERENA-6 for Some With Breast Cancer

Ryan Scott
Dr. Joshua K. Sabari and Dr. Julia E. McGuinness discussed the SERENA-6 trial and its outcomes for patients with ESR1-mutated HR+/HER2— breast cancer.
Image of kidney
June 19th 2025

Why is Clinical Trial Enrollment Important for Those With Kidney Cancer?

Ryan Scott
Dr. Michael Serzan explains the importance of clinical trial enrollment for patients with kidney cancer and highlighted findings from the STELLA-002 trial.
About Us
Advertise / Support
Editorial Board
Contact Us
CancerNetwork.com
TargetedOnc.com
OncLive.com
OncNursingNews.com
Terms & Conditions
Privacy
Do Not Sell My Information
Contact Info

2 Commerce Drive
Cranbury, NJ 08512

609-716-7777

© 2025 MJH Life Sciences

All rights reserved.