Research commissioned by Roche has revealed that half of respondents across 12 countries in Latin America and Europe have little or no awareness of the role human papillomavirus (HPV) plays in cervical cancer. The study, conducted by GWI, shows a significant knowledge gap, despite HPV being responsible for over 99% of cervical cancer cases globally.
HPV is a common sexually transmitted virus and the leading cause of cervical cancer, which affects more than 600,000 women each year, resulting in over 340,000 deaths. Most of these cases occur in low-resource countries, where access to healthcare is limited. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 93% of cervical cancers could be prevented through screening and HPV vaccination.
The research highlights that while screening rates differ between regions, barriers to testing exist across both developed and developing nations. Among the concerns, up to 63% of respondents feared the testing procedure would be painful, and as many as 57% felt uncomfortable discussing their sexual history with a healthcare provider.
Joanna Sickler, Vice-President of Health Policy and External Affairs at Roche Diagnostics, emphasised the critical role of early detection: “Thousands of women die needlessly from cervical cancer each year. This survey shines a light on the barriers to screening and the opportunities to prevent disease and improve women’s health. With many women open to self-testing options, now is the time for communities, health systems, and governments to collaborate and provide the tools needed for early detection.”
The WHO is working to accelerate the elimination of cervical cancer by 2030. Its guidelines recommend HPV DNA testing as a primary screening method for all women. The WHO’s goals include vaccinating 90% of girls against HPV by age 15 and ensuring 70% of women are screened by age 35 and again by age 45. If these targets are met, it is estimated that more than 62 million cervical cancer deaths could be prevented over the next century.
The study revealed that more than 50% of new cervical cancer cases occur in women who have never been screened or who have not been screened within the last five years. A range of factors contribute to this, including economic barriers, cultural concerns, and fears of discomfort during testing.
Self-collection for HPV testing emerged as a popular option, particularly in Latin America, where 77% of women expressed interest in the approach due to limited infrastructure for regular screening. In Europe, where access to testing is more common, 57% of women supported the idea of self-testing. Healthcare professionals in Latin America were also more in favour of a self-collection programme, with 72% agreeing on its necessity, compared to 48% in Europe.
Men were found to have even lower awareness of HPV’s role, particularly in Europe, where only 35% to 51% of men reported any knowledge of the virus. In Latin America, this figure was higher, ranging from 55% to 76%. The findings suggest a need for educational campaigns to involve men in HPV prevention efforts.
Roche has partnered with over 55 countries to support cervical cancer screening programmes, using its cobas® HPV test. These collaborations have helped expand access to testing, particularly in remote areas. In Peru, more than 300,000 women, many living in the Amazon rainforest, have been tested for HPV since 2021 using self-collection kits.
Roche’s commitment to cervical cancer prevention has been further solidified through its recent membership in the Global HPV Consortium, aiming to advance screening and vaccination efforts worldwide.
