Map Shows States With Most HPV-Related Cancers as 1 in 3 Unaware of Link

Newsweek

2 days ago

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People in some U.S. states are more likely to be diagnosed with HPV-associated cancers than in others—with this discrepancy likely linked to awareness of the risk from the virus.
Overall, one in three adults nationally are unaware of the connection between HPV and cancer, reveals a study from the MUSC Hollings Cancer Center in South Carolina.
HPV, or the human papillomavirus, is spread by skin-to-skin contact and has been linked to the onset of six different types of cancer. It is responsible for almost all cases of cervical cancers, causes the majority of throat or 'oropharyngeal' cancers and can cause anal, penile, vaginal and vulvar cancers.
"Awareness of HPV in the general population is an important determinant of preventative care uptake," MUSC researcher Kalyani Sonawane told Newsweek. Such measures, she explained, include the HPV vaccine and cervical cancers screening.
"Achieving adequate HPV vaccine coverage is critical for eliminating these cancers."
State-level data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)—see map above—shows geographical differences in the diagnoses of HPV-associated cancers.
At joint top of the list, Kentucky and West Virginia recorded 16.9 HPV-associated cancer cases per 100,000 residents in 2022 (the year with the most recent available data.)
However, at the bottom of the list, North Dakota recorded just 8.3 HPV-associated cancer cases per 100,000 residents in the same year.
According to the new study, around a third of Americans are not aware of either HPV or that a vaccine exists against it—despite this protection having been available for nearly two decades in the U.S.
This lack of awareness is heightened in the Midwest and South, the researchers noted.
For example, more than 40 percent of people in 13 states—including South Carolina—are unaware there is a vaccine against HPV.
"In general, literacy levels (overall and health literacy) are lower in the U.S. South and Midwest, which is likely a reason why we found a lack of HPV awareness concentrated in states in these regions," explained Sonawane.
The team used data from the Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS), a survey conducted by the National Cancer Institute, to inform their research.
Sonawane said that the CDC data "further highlights the need for increasing HPV awareness in Southern and Midwestern states"—where cases of HPV-related cancer also tend to be more common.
The vaccine is the "first and best defense" against HPV-caused cancers, the researchers said. It is routinely recommended for children aged 11–12 years (and can be started as early as nine years).
Catch-up vaccination is recommended through age 26. Additionally, adults aged 27–45 might be able to receive the vaccine after consultation with their healthcare provider.
Doctor examining throat of male patient.
Doctor examining throat of male patient.While research from Europe and the U.S. shows a significant reduction in cervical cancer cases in young women—likely due to them being the first group to have been vaccinated as children—there's a bigger picture to consider.
Cervical cancer may show up when people are in their 30s or 40s, but oropharyngeal cancers are mostly diagnosed when people are in their 50s or 60s, the researchers warn.
Sonawane noted that the biggest knowledge gap is in relation to oropharyngeal cancer. Across the nation, 70 percent of those who have heard about HPV did not know that it can lead to throat cancer.
The vaccine is now approved for boys too, but their vaccination rates remain lower than among girls.
"The HPV vaccine was first approved for the prevention of cervical cancer in women and was therefore heavily marketed toward women. This 'feminization' of the HPV vaccine continues to linger—and is likely a reason why most people have heard of HPV and cervical cancer, but not of its link with oral cancers," Sonawane explained.
"Boys and men can also get HPV-associated oral, penile, and anal cancers; therefore, getting the HPV vaccine is equally important for males."
While the pandemic interrupted measures of preventive care—including the HPV vaccination and screening for breast, cervical and colon cancers—an American Cancer Society report showed screening for breast and colon cancers has since rebounded.
However, both cervical cancer screening—which is not a test for cancer, but a test to help prevent cancer—and HPV vaccination rates have not similarly recovered.
"Prevention is always better than a cure. We have a safe and effective vaccine to prevent six cancers," Sonawane said.
She concluded: "Going forward, we need to ensure that every child and eligible adult is protected from HPV-related cancers by ensuring they are offered the opportunity—i.e., the HPV vaccine—for preventing these cancers."
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Reference
Garg, A., Damgacioglu, H., Graboyes, E. M., Seal, S., Deshmukh, A. A., & Sonawane, K. (2025). State-level public awareness of HPV, HPV vaccine, and association with cancer. JAMA Oncology. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamaoncol.2025.2638
Star, J., Han, X., Smith, R. A., Schafer, E. J., Jemal, A., & Bandi, P. (2025). Cancer Screening 3 Years After the Onset of the COVID-19 Pandemic. JAMA, 333(17), 1543–1546. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2025.0902