About the campaign

International HPV Awareness Day 

March 4th is International HPV Awareness Day. Inaugurated by  the International Papillomavirus Society in 2018.  The day has become the focal point of the annual campaign for many organizations seeking to increase worldwide awareness and education about HPV and the prevention of HPV related cancer. 

• Public awareness about HPV and related cancer risk is universally low
• Almost half a million people per year die from HPV - many of those deaths can be prevented
• Awareness, education and reducing the stigma of HPV are important first steps in mobilising action to stop HPV

While March 4th highlights the importance of HPV on the global health calendar, our campaign endeavors to keep the conversation about HPV ongoing throughout the year. 

Why public awareness about HPV is important

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) directly affects 4 out of 5 of us. While most of us never experience symptoms, the virus can cause six known forms of cancer affecting women and men, and claims almost half a million lives globally every year. These are lives that could be saved. People of every background, nationality, race, gender.

We can prevent HPV-related cancer. We have the tools at our disposal: The HPV vaccine has proven to be highly effective in preventing HPV-related cancer. Cervical screening detects cervical cancers and pre-cancers, making effective treatment possible. Yet we face barriers to circulating the necessary information and achieving universal access to affordable HPV vaccination programs and to cervical screening .

It's difficult to solve a problem when people don't know about it. That's why a public awareness campaign is so important. The International HPV Awareness Campaign and the #OneLessWorry theme aim to increase awareness about HPV and how we can beat it. By sharing information, we empower people to take action to protect their health. By encouraging conversations about HPV we aim to reduce the stigma that can act as a barrier and increase the risks to us all . By communicating clearly: We CAN eliminate HPV and create One Less Worry for our world.

The International HPV Awareness Campaign is led by the International Papillomavirus Society (IPVS) in partnership with over 140 clinical, research, professional and patient organizations worldwide. Together we work to raise the profile of HPV as a cancer causing virus and provide the information and knowledge that people need to take action to reduce the risk of HPV related cancer. 

To see some of the results our network has achieved, check out the Campaign Report 2024.