On Wednesday, November 30, the United States House of Representatives passed the PREVENT HPV Cancers Act by voice vote. The bill, lead sponsored by Representatives Kathy Castor (D-FL) and Kim Schrier (D-WA), was introduced in early March in coordination with International HPV Awareness Day. AACI was an early supporter of the bill.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that nearly 36,000 cases of cancer each year stem from six types of cancers related to the human papillomavirus (HPV). The legislation aims to increase vaccination rates and reduce disparities in early detection.
During a floor speech ahead of the vote Rep. Castor noted that the act builds on work the CDC is already doing to raise awareness about gynecologic cancers through Johanna's Law and includes HPV and HPV-related cancers in a national public awareness campaign to educate providers, parents, and the public about the life-saving HPV vaccine. This is especially important in rural areas where there's also been a dramatic drop-off in HPV vaccination.
The PREVENT HPV Act would specifically create a CDC-run national public awareness campaign to increase HPV vaccination rates and Americans’ understanding of HPV-associated cancers.
Anna Giuliano, PhD, American Cancer Society Clinical Research Professor and director, Center for Immunization and Infection Research in Cancer (CIIRC) at Moffitt Cancer Center, was a strong advocate for the legislation. Upon passage, Dr. Giuliano shared the following remarks:
"Moffitt Cancer Center celebrates this important step toward passage of the PREVENT HPV Cancers Act. The science has been clear for years – we have the tools to eliminate HPV related cancers globally, starting with cervical cancer. Representative Castor has had a long-standing collaboration with us at the Moffitt Cancer Center in promoting interventions to prevent HPV cancers. We applaud Representative Castor for her leadership on PREVENT HPV Cancers Act, which could save tens of thousands lives among U.S. men and women per year."
The bill awaits introduction in the Senate, where advocates are seeking a sponsor. AACI encourages you to reach out to your senator today to urge them to support and sponsor this bill.