Cervical and HPV-associated cancer awareness
Your smear test, made clear.
Straightforward, evidence-based information about HPV, cervical screening, vaccines and the cancers HPV can cause.
Our mission
The 99% Project
99% of cervical cancers are preventable. Our mission is to raise awareness of HPV, cervical cancer screening and the HPV vaccine to reduce the burden of cervical cancer and other HPV-related cancers.
We do this by sharing clear, evidence-based information, tackling the fears and misconceptions that stop people booking their screening or vaccine, and bringing these conversations into schools, universities and workplaces. Together, we can help close the gap.
How can we help?
How common is HPV?
Most of us will have HPV at some point
8 in 10 people
will have HPV at some point in their lives. One study estimated the lifetime chance at around 85% for women and 91% for men (Chesson et al., 2014).
The vaccine is working
Share of young women in England aged 19 to 21 carrying HPV16 or HPV18, the two types that cause most cervical cancers
After the HPV vaccine was introduced in schools in 2008, infection with these two types fell by almost 90% in this age group. Source: UK Health Security Agency surveillance of women attending chlamydia screening (Mesher et al., 2018).
Fewer cervical cancers in vaccinated women
How much lower cervical cancer rates were in women in England offered the HPV vaccine, compared with unvaccinated women, by the age they were offered it
The earlier the vaccine is given, the bigger the benefit (Falcaro et al., 2021). In Scotland, no cases of invasive cervical cancer have been found in women vaccinated at age 12 to 13 (Palmer et al., 2024).
The numbers
Cervical cancer in the UK
How many cases are linked to HPV
Approximate share of each cancer caused by HPV
Share of UK cases attributable to HPV. Sources: Cancer Research UK (Parkin, 2011; Schache et al., 2016).
Are we reaching our targets?
These are coverage rates: the share of people who are currently protected or up to date. They are not yearly totals. The dark line marks each target.
Around 1 in 6 girls and 1 in 5 boys in England are not fully vaccinated by Year 10. Reaching these targets is part of the NHS plan to eliminate cervical cancer by 2040.
Figures are rounded. Sources: Cancer Research UK, NHS England, The Eve Appeal, World Health Organization.
Why awareness still matters
The vaccine is a huge step forward, but it isn't the whole answer
Cervical cancer is almost entirely preventable, yet thousands of people are still diagnosed every year. Closing that gap takes vaccination, screening, early diagnosis and research working together.
The vaccine doesn't cover every type
The HPV vaccine used in the UK protects against seven high-risk types, which cause around 9 in 10 cervical cancers (Joura et al., 2015). Around 13 high-risk types are known, so some cancers can still develop in people who are vaccinated.
Many adults were never offered it
Girls have been vaccinated at school since 2008, but boys only since 2019. Millions of adults grew up before the programme, and some young people missed their dose.
Screening uptake is too low
Fewer than 7 in 10 eligible people in England are up to date with cervical screening, below the 80% target. Embarrassment, fear and misinformation stop many people booking.
Most HPV cancers have no screening
Anal, head and neck, vulval, vaginal and penile cancers have no national screening programme, and head and neck cancer rates are rising. Knowing the symptoms helps people get checked sooner.
Stigma keeps people quiet
HPV is extremely common, but misconceptions about what it means can cause shame and stop people asking questions or seeing their GP.
Research is still vital
There is no treatment for HPV infection itself, and treatments for advanced HPV-related cancers can have lasting side effects. Research into how HPV proteins such as E6 and E7 drive cancer is helping scientists find kinder, more targeted treatments.
For workplaces
Lunch&Learn
Many people put off their smear test or don't know the signs of HPV-related cancers. A Lunch&Learn is a relaxed talk your team can bring their lunch to, giving them clear information and a chance to ask questions they might not feel able to ask their GP.
Where to find support
If you're worried about symptoms, contact your GP or call NHS 111. These organisations offer trusted information and support.
Sexual health services and helplines
NHS sexual health services are free and confidential for everyone, whatever your age, gender or sexuality. You don't need a GP referral.