Estimating of the number of cancer cases attributed to HPV infections for Poland in 2015

Abstract

Introduction. Human papillomavirus (HPV) is responsible for almost all cervical cancers, for an important fraction of other anogenital cancers (anus, vulva, vagina and penis), but also for some head and neck cancer cases.

Material and method. Data on cancer incidence for Poland in 2015 were taken from the database of Polish National Cancer Registry (http://onkologia.org.pl). Attributable fractions (AFs) for all HPV-associated cancer sites were derived from published study. The number of cancer cases attributable to HPV infections was calculated by multiplying the number of registered new cancer cases by the given AF for all HPV-associated cancer sites.

Results. Of all newly registered cancer cases for Poland in the analysed year, 4080 were estimated to be attributable to HPV infections. The vast majority of these cases — 3300, were diagnosed in women, 780 in men. Cancer cases attributed to HPV represent 44% of all cancers related to HPV and 2.5% of all malignant neoplasms registered in Poland in 2015.

Conclusions. The fraction of cancers attributable to HPV infections is highly dominated by cervical cancer. Effective control of this cancer site should combine increasing awareness of threats related to HPV infections, improving access to HPV vaccination (primary prevention) by introduction of financing from public funds, and increasing access to secondary prevention in both forms — cytological and HPV testing. Introduction of an HPV vaccination population program in Poland should be a priority in strategy of cancer control.