Brazil records 7,500 annual cancer deaths linked to HPV

A study published in *Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics* analyzing Ministry of Health data from 2011‑2019 found that human papillomavirus (HPV) causes about 7,500 deaths and 29,000 hospitalizations each year in Brazil. Approximately 85% of the affected patients are women, and cervical cancer accounts for 74.3% of hospital admissions and 77.3% of HPV‑related deaths. The virus also contributes to cancers of the vagina, vulva, anus, penis, oropharynx, larynx and oral cavity, with anal cancer showing the largest recent increase in mortality (10.9%) and head‑and‑neck cancers affecting men four times more often than women. Experts warn that focusing only on cervical cancer creates a false perception that vaccination is only needed by females. The HPV vaccine has been available through the public health system (SUS) since 2014 for children and adolescents aged 9‑14, with catch‑up campaigns for those up to 19 years. Updated screening guidelines now recommend DNA‑HPV testing for women and people with a uterus aged 25‑64, but only about 40% undergo regular Pap smears. The National Cancer Institute projects more than 19,000 new cervical cancer cases annually for 2026‑2028. The study underscores the preventable nature of most HPV‑related cancers through vaccination and early detection.