As a flagship of the Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan, the European Commission supports EU member states’ efforts to strengthen and expand the routine vaccination of girls and boys against human papillomavirus (HPV). Populations across Europe have grown in diversity, and health systems must adapt to meet the specific needs of increasing diversity. Healthcare professionals (HCPs) must strive to communicate HPV vaccine information in a culturally sensitive manner and address specific concerns related to cultural beliefs, trust in health systems and perceived risks.

The objectives of this exploratory study are to identify which themes are most frequently raised during the recommendation of vaccination to minors based on the characteristics of the population (religion, region of origin, gender, level of education and language proficiency) and to collect strategies to improve communication with a diverse population. A survey was distributed through various European public health institutions to HCPs in the region and their networks.

The survey included multi-response questions (themes addressed during vaccination recommendation based on population characteristics) and open-ended questions (own qualitative comments and strategies). The most common issues that arise during vaccine recommendation are a lack of knowledge, followed by misinformation. Differences were detected according to the population characteristics. Suggested strategies to improve HPV vaccine recommendation focused on the following aspects: affordability; sexuality and gender; communication platforms; multilingualism; quality of care; school collaboration. HCPs report differences according to the characteristics of the population receiving the recommendation. Personalisation of the recommendations would help to optimise the decision-making process for some groups.

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This study, commissioned by the European Parliament’s Policy Department for Citizens’ Rights and Constitutional Affairs at the request of the Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality (FEMM), contributes to assessing the state of sexual and reproductive healthcare and rights in the EU. It assesses the regulatory and policy frameworks that ensure access to affordable and quality reproductive care services in the Member States and the support provided by the EU.

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Calabrò Giovanna Elisa , Riccardi Maria Teresa , D'Ambrosio Floriana , Castagna Carolina , Sapienza Martina , Millevolte Rossella , Pellacchia Andrea , Ricciardi Roberto , de Vincenzo Rosa Pasqualina , de Waure Chiara
Cervical cancer elimination in Italy: Current scenario and future endeavors for a value based prevention
Frontiers in Public Health
10
2022
2296-2565

Cervical Cancer (CC) is a vaccine-preventable disease, and it is treatable if diagnosed early and managed properly. However, it is the fourth most common cancer in women worldwide with about 604,127 cases and 341,831 deaths in 2020. In Italy, it represents the fifth most common cancer in women under 50 years of age with about 2,400 new cases in 2020. The CC elimination is today a global public health goal published by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2020 and a commitment of the European Union that has included it in Europe's Beating Cancer Plan. Therefore, urgent action is needed, at international and national level, to implement value-based interventions regarding vaccination, screening and timely management of the disease. Our study aims to describe the state of the art of Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) prevention in Italy and to get a consensus on indicators for monitoring the progress toward CC elimination at national level.

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Peter Baker, Daniel Kelly, Rui Medeiros, Mike Morrissey, Richard Price,
Eliminating HPV-caused cancers in Europe: Achieving the possible,
Journal of Cancer Policy,
Volume 28,
2021,
100280,
ISSN 2213-5383

The 690,000 cases of cancer caused worldwide each year by HPV (human papillomavirus) are among the easiest of all cancers to prevent. However, the actions so far taken in terms of both policy and practice by health systems in many European states have neither matched the scale of the problem nor seized the opportunities for disease prevention potentially offered by vaccination and screening. Treatments for HPV-caused cancers are also inequitably provided across the region and widespread misinformation about HPV undermines efforts to improve public health. The European Cancer Organisation's HPV Action Network has made the case for action for the elimination of all the cancers caused by HPV through gender-neutral vaccination, effective cervical cancer screening, better quality treatments, and public and professional education across Europe. The World Health Organisation's new global strategy for the elimination of cervical cancer (launched in November 2020), together with Europe's Beating Cancer Plan (February 2021), together provide a major opportunity to tackle decisively all the cancers caused by HPV. The Beating Cancer Plan, which was significantly influenced by evidence provided by the HPV Action Network, commits to supporting EU member states' efforts to extend routine vaccination of girls and boys and to creating a new EU-supported Cancer Screening Scheme to help Member States ensure that 90% of the EU population who qualify for cervical cancer screening are offered it by 2025. The goal of HPV cancer elimination is now both possible and achievable. The challenge is to ensure implementation and delivery by EU member states and more widely across the European region.

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Basile M, Calabrò GE, Ghelardi A, Ricciardi R, De Vincenzo R, Cicchetti A. HPV Vaccination in Women Treated for Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia: A Budget Impact Analysis. Vaccines (Basel). 2021 Jul 22;9(8):816. doi: 10.3390/vaccines9080816. PMID: 34451941; PMCID: PMC8402448.

Acampora A, Grossi A, Barbara A, Colamesta V, Causio FA, Calabrò GE, Boccia S, de Waure C. Increasing HPV Vaccination Uptake among Adolescents: A Systematic Review. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2020 Oct 30;17(21):7997. doi: 10.3390/ijerph17217997. PMID: 33143171; PMCID: PMC7663345.

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination is a well-known fundamental strategy in the prevention of cervical cancer, as it is always caused by HPV infection. In fact, primary prevention of the infection corresponds to primary prevention of HPV-related cancers and other diseases. Since an effective prevention at the population level is the final goal, it is mandatory for healthcare systems to achieve a high HPV vaccination coverage among the adolescents to reduce the circulation of the virus and the burden of HPV-related diseases. This research identified, through a systematic literature review, 38 papers on strategies adopted to increase HPV vaccination coverage among adolescents. The evaluated strategies targeted adolescents/parents and/or healthcare providers and could be grouped in three main types: (1) reminder-based, (2) education, information, and communication activities, and (3) multicomponent strategies. Several types of strategy, such as those relied only on reminders and integrating different interventions, showed a positive impact on vaccination coverage. Nonetheless, the heterogeneity of the interventions suggests the importance to adapt such strategies to the specific national/local contexts to maximize vaccination coverage.

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Gillian Prue, Gilla Shapiro, Ruth Maybin, Olinda Santin, Mark Lawler,
Knowledge and acceptance of human papillomavirus (HPV) and HPV vaccination in adolescent boys worldwide: A systematic review,
Journal of Cancer Policy,
Volume 10,
2016,
Pages 1-15,
ISSN 2213-5383

To determine HPV and HPV vaccine awareness, knowledge and acceptance in male adolescents worldwide.

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