HPV Awareness Day

That this House notes that 4 March marks HPV Awareness Day, an international day dedicated to raising awareness of human papillomavirus (HPV) and the diseases it can cause; recognises that HPV is a common virus, with around 8 in 10 people in the UK expected to be infected at some point in their lives; further notes that certain high-risk strains of HPV are associated with a number of cancers, including cervical cancer; welcomes the success of the UK’s HPV vaccination programme in helping to prevent these cancers and that vaccination remains one of the most effective ways to protect individuals and reduce the long-term burden of HPV-related disease; also notes that HPV testing is now incorporated into cervical screening smear tests across the UK, enabling earlier identification of high-risk infections; and stresses the importance of encouraging eligible young people to receive the HPV vaccine and of ensuring that women attend regular cervical screening appointments, which play a vital role in preventing cervical cancer and protecting long-term public health.