Data Trends 2023: HPV and Related Cancers

Slideshow below.

The incidence of certain HPV-related cancers, such as oropharyngeal and anal cancers, has risen dramatically over the past 20 years. Oropharyngeal cancer is now the most common HPV-related cancer in the US.¹ Active-duty military service members and veterans are twice as likely as the general population to develop oncogenic HPV infections, resulting in a higher risk of HPV-associated cancers and cancer-related mortality.^2-4 Yet, HPV vaccination rates among eligible veterans and active-duty military are only half that of their civilian peers.⁵

Unfortunately, no vaccination requirements or campaigns actively target this population.⁵ An updated US military policy could include the most recent Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices guidelines on the HPV vaccine and provide guidance on ways to make vaccines more widely available to service members.⁶

Because of the lack of routine screening procedures and the long latency period between the incident oncogenic HPV infection and the subsequent development of cancer, oropharyngeal cancers are often diagnosed at an advanced stage, which results in increased cancer associated mortality.⁷ HPV-related cancers may also cause significant clinical and economic burdens for the VHA system.⁴ Effective vaccination strategies could save the VHA millions of dollars in costs associated with treating these largely preventable cancers.⁴

The relative risk of cancers is also increased in veterans living HIV.⁸ Veteran women living with HIV in particular have an increased risk of HPV-associated genital tract cancers, in part because poorly controlled HIV is associated with more frequent and persistent HPV infections earlier in life.^9-13

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