A recent survey has exposed significant regional gaps in awareness and screening for HPV (human papillomavirus), the primary cause of cervical cancer. Conducted by GWI and commissioned by Roche, the survey spanned 12 countries across Latin America and Europe, revealing an urgent need for better education and expanded access to screening.
A Persistent Lack of Awareness
Despite HPV being the leading cause of cervical cancer, responsible for more than 99% of cases, the survey found that half of the general population remains unaware of this connection. With cervical cancer leading to over 340,000 deaths globally each year, these results underscore a critical need for public education to bridge this knowledge gap.
“The survey highlights some of the most important barriers to screening, as well as the opportunities we have to prevent disease and improve women’s health,” said Joanna Sickler, Vice-President of Health Policy and External Affairs at Roche Diagnostics. “Thousands of women are needlessly dying from cervical cancer each year, and there is much more that can be done.”
Regional Disparities in HPV Knowledge and Screening
The survey revealed stark regional differences in HPV awareness and screening practices. In Latin American countries, 73% to 89% of women surveyed were aware of HPV, whereas awareness ranged from 50% to 78% in European countries. Interestingly, although Europe generally has better access to screening, public understanding of HPV's role in cervical cancer was less widespread compared to Latin America, where access is more limited.
These findings suggest that both education and access are essential to combating cervical cancer. Without sufficient awareness, even well-developed healthcare services may be underutilised, while regions lacking adequate healthcare infrastructure struggle to address the disease despite higher levels of awareness.
Barriers to Screening and Potential Solutions
Although cervical cancer is highly preventable through regular screening and HPV vaccination, the survey identified significant obstacles preventing women from seeking testing. The most common concerns included fear of pain during the testing procedure (cited by up to 63% of respondents) and discomfort discussing sexual health with healthcare providers (reported by up to 57%). Such barriers are more pronounced in low-resource countries, where 90% of cervical cancer deaths occur.
A promising solution highlighted by the survey is the growing interest in self-collection for HPV testing. Over 70% of respondents said they would be willing to collect their own samples, which could alleviate issues related to stigma and embarrassment. This interest was especially strong in Latin American countries, where limited healthcare infrastructure makes routine screenings more challenging.
Susana Wong, Patient Advocate and Director of Lazo Rosado in Peru, emphasized the importance of accessible testing: “We know how to prevent and treat cervical cancer. With HPV molecular tests and vaccination, there is real hope to eliminate this disease. Self-collection empowers women to take control of their health.”
Collaborative Efforts to Expand Access
Roche is actively working to improve HPV awareness and screening by partnering with health systems and governments in over 55 countries. In Peru, for instance, a collaboration with the Ministry of Health has enabled more than 300,000 previously unscreened or under screened women to access HPV testing through Roche’s self-collection solutions. By equipping healthcare providers with comprehensive tools for screening and diagnosis, Roche aims to address some of the most common barriers women face.
“Efforts like these are crucial as the world works towards the World Health Organisation’s goal of eliminating cervical cancer by 2030,” said Sickler. The WHO’s ambitious targets include ensuring that 90% of girls are vaccinated against HPV by age 15, and that 70% of women undergo high-performance screening tests by age 35 and again by age 45. Achieving these goals could potentially prevent over 62 million deaths in the next century.
The Path Forward
As the 2030 target for eliminating cervical cancer approaches, this survey serves as a crucial reminder of the work that remains. Governments, healthcare systems, and communities must strengthen their commitment to improving both education and access to screening. Roche continues to play a pivotal role in this effort, providing innovative solutions that address key barriers and bring life-saving screening to millions of women worldwide.
For more detailed findings, see the full GWI report commissioned by Roche https://www.roche.com/.
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