Fresh from the European Cancer Summit 2025, The session “Towards the Finish Line: Accelerating Momentum for HPV-related Cancers Elimination in Europe” explored Europe’s growing momentum toward eliminating HPV-related cancers and highlighted the shift from planning to full implementation. Co-chaired by Prof. Daniel Kelly and Dr. Amil Družić, the discussion emphasized that the tools needed for elimination already exist—high-coverage vaccination, HPV primary screening, self-sampling innovations, and stronger data systems—but progress remains uneven across the region.
The session featured contributions from the following speakers:Nicolás González Casares (MEP), Karam Adel (ECDC), Mihaela Grigore (ESGO), Paolo Berti (Cancer Survivor), and Nicoletta Luppi (MSD Italia). Each offered insights reflecting their respective experience in policy, clinical practice, public health strategy, patient advocacy, and industry leadership.
A Patient Perspective that Centers the Discussion
The session opened with a deeply moving testimony from a survivor of HPV-related head and neck cancer. His story underscored a crucial truth: HPV is not a women-only issue. In several European settings, HPV-driven oropharyngeal cancers in men now exceed cervical cancer incidence in women.
The narrative served as a powerful reminder that prevention, awareness, and early action must extend to all genders, all communities, and all age groups.
National Progress and Persistent Inequities
A general overview of the European landscape highlighted clear patterns:
- Some countries have made rapid progress—expanding vaccination, modernizing screening, and investing in public awareness campaigns.
- Others continue to face large gaps in coverage, limited access to HPV primary screening, and insufficient public understanding of HPV-related risks.
- Historical challenges, such as vaccine hesitancy or fragmented infrastructure, remain significant barriers in several regions.
- Encouragingly, an increasing number of countries are adopting gender-neutral vaccination, signaling a shift toward more inclusive and resilient prevention models.
- This regional variability demonstrates both the complexity of implementation and the enormous potential of coordinated action.
Closing the Screening and Vaccination Gaps
A newly presented European overview on cervical cancer and HPV prevention highlighted four priority areas:
- Vaccination gaps remain wide, both between and within countries.
- HPV primary screening is not yet universal, despite being the most effective method.
- Self-sampling—a critical tool for reaching underscreened populations—is still deployed inconsistently.
- Data systems remain fragmented, limiting real-time monitoring and slowing responsiveness.
The recommendations stressed:
- Achieving universal HPV primary screening through organized, population-based programs.
- Scaling up self-collection with proper reimbursement and guideline integration.
- Strengthening data registries to ensure reliable monitoring.
- Sustaining long-term political commitment and funding to turn policy into practice.
A preview of an updated HPV Elimination Atlas showed notable improvements in several countries but also highlighted setbacks where policy announcements have not yet translated into implementation.
The Policy Dimension: Science, Trust, and Public Confidence
The session emphasized that HPV cancer elimination is not only a scientific challenge but also a political one. Ensuring broad support for vaccination, maintaining trust in science, and countering misinformation were identified as essential pillars of success.
Speakers underscored that strong public-health policy—and public confidence in that policy—is fundamental for reaching the 90% vaccination and screening targets that elimination requires.
Insights from Immunization Monitoring and Practice
A European public-health overview reflected on two decades of HPV vaccination experience. Key learnings included:
- Gender-neutral vaccination provides stronger and more sustainable protection.
- Framing HPV vaccination as cancer prevention significantly increases acceptance.
- School-based delivery models achieve consistently higher and more resilient coverage.
- Emerging evidence on one-dose schedules may simplify delivery and increase reach, especially in regions with limited capacity.
- Subnational data reveal deep disparities, reinforcing the need for tailored, locally designed interventions.
- These insights point toward practical pathways to accelerate progress and close remaining gaps.
A Shared European Goal, but Progress at Different Speeds
Across all discussions, one message was clear: Europe has the tools to eliminate HPV-related cancers, but implementation remains uneven. Southeastern Europe, in particular, is making meaningful strides—such as adopting gender-neutral vaccination and expanding national programs—but further acceleration is essential to ensure that no community is left behind.
Conclusion
The session closed with a shared commitment to sustaining momentum. Eliminating HPV-related cancers could become Europe’s first major cancer-prevention success story—one grounded in science, partnership, and equity. Achieving this vision will require continued political leadership, strengthened health systems, and coordinated regional effort to ensure that every country, every community, and every person benefits from the progress being made.
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