A new national coalition of health, advocacy and research organisations – HPV Network Ireland – has officially launched today, on International HPV Awareness Day, with a shared mission to strengthen public understanding of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and how it can cause six different cancers in men and women.
Every year in Ireland there are approximately 640 new cases of HPV-associated cancers diagnosed and 196 cancer deaths, most of which are potentially preventable by HPV vaccination.1
HPV is a very common virus that most people will be exposed to during their lifetime. While HPV does not always cause cancer, it can cause six different cancers affecting both men and women, including cancers of the throat, anus, penis, cervix, vagina and vulva. Despite this, research shows that public understanding of HPV as a broader cancer issue remains limited.2
Unlike cervical cancer, there are currently no routine screening programmes in Ireland for most other HPV‑associated cancers. As a result, prevention and early awareness, particularly through vaccination, are the most effective tools available to reduce future cancer burden.
Evidence shows that HPV vaccination is a highly effective cancer prevention tool, particularly when delivered at a young age, before exposure to the virus. Ireland benefits from an excellent school population‑based national HPV vaccination programme, further reinforced by the Laura Brennan HPV Vaccination Catch‑Up Programme, which provides an essential second opportunity for individuals who may not have received the vaccine during their initial eligibility period.
However, HPV vaccination rates in Ireland for the school-based HPV vaccination programme currently stand at approximately 74.9%, down 4 percentage points on the previous year (2022/2023) and significantly down from peak uptake levels of 89.9% in 2014.3
In this context, HPV Network Ireland was formed in response to growing concern about lack of awareness about HPV and its role in multiple cancers, declining HPV vaccine uptake, the persistence of misinformation, and the need for more consistent, evidence-based communication about HPV across Ireland’s health system and wider society.
The Network brings together representatives from a broad range of organisations, including CERVIVA, Gay Health Network, GUIDE Clinic, Irish Cancer Society, Irish Pharmacy Union, Marie Keating Foundation, Trinity St. James Cancer Institute, and 221+, reflecting a coordinated, cross organisational approach to HPV awareness, education and prevention in Ireland.
HPV Network Ireland is calling for renewed national leadership and coordination to advance the ambition of eliminating all HPV‑associated diseases and cancers in Ireland, not only cervical cancer.
The Network is urging policymakers and health leaders to prioritise sustained investment in HPV cancer prevention, HPV awareness, evidence‑based communication and vaccination programmes, and to support collaborative approaches that protect progress made in cancer prevention and prevent setbacks driven by misinformation.
Speaking at the launch, Dr Cara Martin, Chair of HPV Network Ireland and Associate Professor in Molecular Pathology, Tumour Biology and Cancer Screening, Trinity St. James’s Cancer Institute, said:
“HPV is one of the most preventable causes of cancer, yet many people in Ireland remain unaware of the full extent of the harm it causes. Thankfully, people are knowledgeable about HPV’s link to cervical cancer. However, people are less aware that HPV is linked to six different cancers that affect both women and men, many of which cannot be detected through screening and are diagnosed at a later stage. While uptake of the HPV vaccine has begun to recover in recent years, significant concerns and gaps remain, particularly when compared with the levels needed to achieve Ireland’s long-term cancer prevention goals.
HPV Network Ireland has been established to change how we talk about HPV – bringing organisations together to provide clear, evidence-based information, counter misinformation and support informed decisions about vaccination and cancer prevention. By working collaboratively, we can strengthen public trust, protect progress made in cancer prevention, and help reduce the future burden of HPV-associated disease in Ireland.”
Amy Nolan, Director of Clinical Affairs, Irish Cancer Society, said: “Cancer prevention, early detection and reliable information are central to our work at the Irish Cancer Society. It is important to remember that while HPV does not always cause cancer, certain types of HPV increase the risk of cancer.
We encourage boys and girls to receive the vaccine in the first year of secondary school, as this is the optimal time to receive the vaccine, in order to protect all genders from the risk of HPV-associated cancers.
By providing factual and verified information, we can increase awareness of the six HPV‑associated cancers that can affect men and women. Working together through the HPV Network Ireland, we can reach more people to help ensure the best chance of prevention of HPV-associated cancer.”
Bernie Carter, Assistant Director of Nursing, Marie Keating Foundation, added: “We have seen how misinformation and distrust can have a serious and lasting impact on public health. In the past, this contributed to a significant drop in HPV vaccination uptake in Ireland, and we cannot afford to repeat those mistakes.
At the Marie Keating Foundation, building and maintaining public trust is central to effective cancer prevention. By working as part of HPV Network Ireland, alongside organisations equally committed to preventing HPV‑associated diseases and cancers, we can strengthen public confidence, share clear and reliable information, and help protect the progress that has been made in cancer prevention.”
HPV Network Ireland will mark its official launch through public-facing communications during HPV Awareness Day and will continue to collaborate on education, advocacy and awareness initiatives throughout the year, while engaging with policymakers and health leaders to support efforts to prevent all HPV‑related diseases and cancers in Ireland.