A new study has found that people in some US states are more likely to be diagnosed with HPV-associated cancers than others, largely due to a lack of awareness about the virus and its prevention methods.
According to researchers at MUSC Hollings Cancer Center, one in three adults nationwide is unaware of the connection between HPV and cancer. The study used data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and found that some states have significantly higher rates of HPV-associated cancer cases per 100,000 residents.
Kentucky and West Virginia top the list with 16.9 cases per 100,000 residents in 2022, while North Dakota has just 8.3 cases per 100,000 residents. The researchers attribute the disparity to lower literacy levels and a lack of awareness about HPV in these regions.
The study highlights the importance of increasing HPV awareness, particularly in Southern and Midwestern states where cases of HPV-related cancer are more common. The HPV vaccine is the most effective defense against the virus and its associated cancers.
Despite the availability of the vaccine for nearly two decades, around a third of Americans remain unaware of either HPV or the vaccine. This lack of awareness has significant consequences, with cervical cancer often diagnosed in people’s 30s or 40s, while oropharyngeal cancers are typically diagnosed in people’s 50s and 60s.
The researchers emphasize that the biggest knowledge gap is related to oropharyngeal cancer, with 70% of those who have heard about HPV being unaware of its link to throat cancer. They also note that boys’ vaccination rates remain lower than girls’, likely due to the vaccine’s initial marketing as a women’s health issue.
The study’s findings emphasize the need for targeted efforts to increase HPV awareness and vaccination rates, particularly in regions with higher incidence rates of HPV-associated cancers. By promoting education and access to the HPV vaccine, researchers hope to reduce the number of HPV-related cancer cases in the US.
Source: https://www.newsweek.com/map-hpv-human-papillomavirus-cancer-link-usa-vaccine-awareness-2112747