On 1 June 2024, Poland marked one year since the introduction of the Free HPV Vaccination Programme for girls and boys aged 11 to 14 years. Poland was the last country in the European Union to decide to fund protection against HPV-dependent diseases for this age group. Despite this important step, so far only about 20% of the target population has benefited from free vaccination, while according to the National Cancer Strategy, at least 60% children in the designated age group should be vaccinated by the end of 2028.
HPV is one of the most important infectious agents with oncogenic properties, i.e. capable of malignant transformation of cells and causing cancer. HPV-related cancers continue to be the leading cause of cancer in both men and women. HPV infection causes approximately 5% of all cancers worldwide, and an estimated 625 600 and 69 400 men develop HPV-related cancers each year. We know the evidence for the association of infection with oncogenic types of HPV with cervical cancer, as well as vulvar and vaginal cancer in women, penile cancer in men and also anal cancer and head and neck cancers (including laryngeal cancer) in both sexes.
In Poland, approximately 4.4 thousand cases of HPV-related malignant tumours are reported annually in women and 1.6 thousand in men. Every day 6 Polish women find out that they have cervical cancer and 4 Polish women die from this disease, which is caused in 99% cases by HPV infection. Cancers as a consequence of HPV infection are among the few cancers that can be prevented by vaccination. Despite medical advances such as vaccination, which protect against the oncogenic consequences of HPV infection, cervical cancer is still a cancer diagnosed frequently in Poland, including in young women. In 2020, 3862 women heard the diagnosis; 2137 of them died. According to the World Health Organisation's (WHO) global strategy, Poland, like other European countries, should aim to achieve a cervical cancer incidence rate of less than 4 per 100 000 women. This goal can be achieved through vaccination, screening and prompt implementation of appropriate treatment. In order to achieve this, it is necessary to involve all parties concerned today and to cooperate on many levels.
The incidence of head and neck cancers is also on the rise, with around 30% of all throat cancers currently being HPV-related, and incidence rates expected to rise by 30% by 2030, representing 1.08 million new cases per year, equivalent to two people being diagnosed every minute.
Therefore, the signatories of the document, acting together as part of the HPV Eradication Forum initiative, while recognising and appreciating the efforts made so far, the involvement of doctors, patient organisations, NGOs and health care decision-makers, nevertheless wish to draw attention to significant challenges requiring urgent change. These include such postulates as: increasing public awareness of HPV prevention, eliminating barriers to the implementation of the vaccination programme, intensifying preventive and educational activities among adolescents and their parents, strengthening cooperation between all stakeholders for the elimination of HPV in the Polish population.
The document was signed by the organisations: GrowSPACE Foundation, SEXEDPL Foundation, SPA for Cancer - Friends for Cancer Foundation, National Organisation Flower of Womanhood, Institute for Patients' Rights and Health Education.