Virus and Prevention

The distribution of different types of tumours shows clear differences across the planet: whereas the most frequent in high-income countries are cancers of the breast, of the colon and of the lungs, low-income countries present higher incidence and mortality rates for cancers of the stomach, liver and cervix uteri, all of which are largely or fully (cervix uteri) of infectious origin.

Human papilloma virus is the causative factor of >90% of cervical cancer and few other tumour types. In this narrative review, the role of European research in identifying HPV function in cancer development, screening and prevention is illustrated through the voices of 3 key players, that actively contributed to the launch of the 2018 WHO campaign to eliminate cervical cancer.