Most people in State unaware of HPV link to cancers, research shows

Most people in Ireland believe the Human Papillomavirus is rare with similar numbers in the dark on its links to cancer, according to new research.

HPV is a family of common and highly contagious viruses transmitted through sexual contact.

Most men and women will contract it at some point in their lives and the virus is responsible for a number of cancers, notably a leading cause of cervical cancer.

However, a new survey published on Monday displays a significant knowledge shortfall with about 70 per cent of people not fully understanding it.

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Just 6 per cent identified HPV as being extremely common in Ireland, a level just 4 per cent higher than in 2018.

Over half (54 per cent) believe it to be rare while 40 per cent of respondents do not know it causes cancer.

The survey, carried out by Behaviour and Attitudes on behalf of pharmaceutical company MSD Ireland, polled a representative sample of over 1,000 people in Ireland on awareness and perceptions.

It was conducted ahead of the forthcoming National HPV Immunisation Programme in Ireland, which will offer it for free to boys and girls in first year of secondary school later this autumn.

“HPV is preventable, and people need not develop complications because of HPV infection,” said GP Dr Phil Kieran. “Awareness building is an extremely important part in helping to prevent the spread of HPV and to potentially eradicate cervical cancer.”

The findings show that only one in five people (21 per cent) believe they might have contracted the virus in the past, while a similar number do not know how it spreads.

Males play a significant role in carrying and transmitting the virus. However, the survey highlighted differences in attitudes along gender lines — 62 per cent of parents said they were worried about their sons coming into contact with HPV, compared to 86 per cent of parents of daughters.

There was also a sizeable difference between the number of males who think they have had HPV (17 per cent) compared to the number of females (26 per cent).

“The research highlights that there is still more to be done when it comes to increasing people’s understanding of HPV and the cancers it can cause,” said Rachel Morrogh, the Irish Cancer Society’s director of advocacy.

“There is a gap between the awareness of the vaccine and what it is, when you compare women and men. We want everyone to have the same chance of reducing their risk of cancer and to achieve this more must be done to increase awareness.”