Infection with Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the single most important risk factor the development of cervical cancer and pre-cancer. However, we now know that other cancers are also linked with HPV including head and neck cancer. The incidence of head and neck cancer, and more specifically a subtype of head and neck cancer called oropharyngeal cancer, has been increasing over the last decades. An average of two hundred cases of oropharyngeal cancers are now diagnosed annually in Ireland. Oropharyngeal carcinoma is increasing in younger age groups and among females, who are less likely to have strong tobacco or alcohol histories, suggesting the importance of HPV in these cohorts.

My research is focussed on understanding more about the epidemiology and pathogenesis of HPV in head and neck cancers. The research we have been doing within our CERVIVA consortium in Ireland called the ECHO study, funded by the HRB, has generated the first data on HPV prevalence, HPV genotypes, and associations between HPV status and disease outcome, in large study of head and neck cancers in Ireland. This data is really important to help us understand the role of HPV vaccination in preventing this group of head and neck cancers which affects both men and women and how we can work towards elimination of these HPV associated cancers. HPV vaccination is now available in Ireland for children in secondary school. However, we know that there is still a significant lack of awareness and understanding of HPV and its link to various cancers, including cancers that can affect men among the Irish population.

CERVIVA spokesperson, Dr Cara Martin, Assistant Professor in Molecular Pathology, Trinity College Dublin, said: “Whilst we have cervical screening for the early detection of changes in the cervix, there is no screening for other HPV-related cancers. The best chance we have of eliminating these cancers is to prevent the primary infection through vaccination.”

Dr Cara Martin