Incidence Trends and Burden of Human Papillomavirus-Associated Cancers Among Women in the United States, 2001-2017

Abstract

Human papillomavirus (HPV) associated anal and oropharyngeal cancer incidence has increased in recent years among US women. However, trends in incidence and burden (annual number of cases) of non-cervical HPV-associated cancers relative to cervical cancer remain unclear. Using the 2001-2017 US cancer statistics dataset, we evaluated contemporary incidence trends and burden (annual number of cases) of HPV-associated cancers among women by anatomic site, race/ethnicity, and age. Overall, cervical cancer incidence plateaued among White women but continued to decline among Blacks and Hispanics. Anal cancer incidence surpassed cervical cancer incidence among White women aged 65-74 years old (8.6 and 8.2 per 100,000 in 2015) and ≥75 years old (6.2 and 6.0 per 100,000 in 2014). The non-cervical cancer burden (n = 11,871) surpassed the cervical cancer burden (n = 11,527) in 2013. Development of efficacious screening strategies for non-cervical cancers and continued improvement in cervical cancer prevention is needed to combat HPV-associated cancers among women.

Evaluation of Cervical Cancer Screening Uptake and Adherence Among Women Without Human Papillomavirus Vaccination in the US

“…These findings are particularly important in the context of declining cervical cancer screening uptake, recent stabilization in cervical cancer incidence, and the COVID-19 pandemic, which has further exacerbated HPV vaccination and cervical cancer screening rates. 5 , 6 For instance, a more than 75% decrease in screening rates occurred among women aged 21 to 29 years during the stay-at-home order in Southern California. 6 Findings of the present study also suggest that non-Hispanic Asian women, those with educational attainment up to a high school diploma, and those who are uninsured are less likely to undergo or adhere to screening recommendations, implying a need for targeted prevention in these groups.…”

The Role of Demographics, Social Deprivation and Ethnicity on Anal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Incidence in England

“…The increasing incidence of female patients with ASCC may be related to successful screening programmes where CIN is identified and treated, however, the oncogenic HPV infection remains and instead of developing cervical cancers, patients develop ASCC. Interestingly, cervical cancer rates in the USA have plateaued in the same time-period as non-cervical HPV related malignancies have increased and the burden of non-cervical HPV malignancies surpassed cervical HPV malignancies for the first time in the USA in 2013 [26].…”

Assessing Human Papillomavirus Awareness and the Role of Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Education on Improving Intention to Vaccinate

“…14 Although the authors did not comment on reasons for the decline, it could be due to plateauing or declining incidence of cervical cancer (which is the most widely recognized HPV-related cancer) in some demographics. 15,16 However, since at least 2012, HPV-related OPSCC has been the most common HPV-related cancer in the United States. 17 As of June 2020, the FDA has officially expanded the nine-valent HPV vaccine Gardasil indications to include for the prevention of head and neck cancers (HNCs; including OPSCC) in both men and women from the age of 9 to 45 years.…”