We’re living at a moment in history where we could actually eliminate cervical cancer in England by 2040. — the NHS has a plan, and the science is rock-solid.
But here’s the thing: HPV is not just about cervical cancer, and it’s not just about women. And too many people still don’t know that.
HPV: The facts most people don’t hear
- HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the world. Most of us will get it at some point. It’s passed through skin-to-skin contact — not just sex — and often has no symptoms.
- It’s linked to a whole range of cancers, including:
- Cervical cancer
- Cancers of the penis, anus, vulva, and vagina
- Head and neck cancers, especially throat cancer
- Both men and women can develop HPV-related cancers. This is not a “women’s health” problem — it’s a public health problem.
The elimination plan
NHS England’s Cervical Cancer Elimination by 2040 plan aims to drive cervical cancer rates below the World Health Organisation’s elimination threshold of 4 cases per 100,000. The key milestones by 2030 are:
- 90% of girls vaccinated against HPV by age 15 (boys are also now eligible and protected)
- 70% of people with a cervix screened at least twice by mid-life
- 90% of people with cancer or pre-cancer are treated effectively
Myth-busting the big misconceptions
“HPV is rare.”
Wrong. Most sexually active people will have it at some point, often without knowing.
“Only women get HPV.”
No. HPV doesn’t discriminate. Men can develop HPV-related cancers and pass the virus on. That’s why boys are now routinely offered the vaccine too.
“If I’m vaccinated, I don’t need cervical screening.”
The vaccine protects against the most dangerous strains but not all of them — screening is still essential.
Why we’re losing ground
HPV vaccination rates have dropped since the pandemic — falling from around 90% to the low 70s in some areas. That’s thousands of unprotected young people. Screening uptake has stalled too, with about one in three eligible people not attending.
If we act now, we could see the day when our children live in a country where cervical cancer is gone — and other HPV-related cancers are drastically reduced.
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For full guidance on the HPV vaccine, including who it’s for and how to access it, visit the official NHS HPV vaccine page.
