HPV Summit focuses on advancing multidisciplinary prevention efforts

The event supports the national campaign launched by the Ministry of Health on March 29 to raise awareness and accelerate efforts in preventing HPV-related diseases.

Katharina Geppert, Managing Director of MSD Vietnam reaffirmed the company’s commitment to partnering with the healthcare sector in its mission to enhance the health and well-being of the Vietnamese people. Photo courtesy of Vo Huy Vu

The conference included two thematic sessions that addressed the HPV burden among both men and women, highlighting the need for inclusive, multidisciplinary counseling. Experts reiterated that HPV is one of the most prevalent sexually transmitted infections globally. Most sexually active individuals will contract the virus at some point, often unknowingly, contributing to silent transmission that burdens both individuals and healthcare systems.

Prof. Dr. Phan Trong Lan, Director of the National Institute for Hygiene and Epidemiology and President of VAPM, emphasized the severe impact of HPV, particularly its role as a leading cause of several life-threatening cancers, including cervical cancer, the fourth most common cancer in women.

"Beyond cervical cancer, HPV can cause anal, vulvar, vaginal, penile, and oropharyngeal cancers, affecting both men and women," he said. According to the World Health Organization, HPV was responsible for an estimated 690,000 new cancer cases globally in 2019, including 620,000 in women and 70,000 in men.

In his speech at the conference, Prof. Dr. Phan Trong Lan, Director of the National Institute for Hygiene and Epidemiology, and President of the Vietnam Association of Preventive Medicine, highlighted the vital importance of proactive vaccination, expanding access to prevention and treatment, and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration among healthcare professionals. Photo courtesy of Vo Huy Vu

Despite the availability of effective vaccines and routine screenings, Prof. Dr. Phan Trong Lan noted that individuals in many low- and middle-income countries still face significant barriers to accessing these services, allowing HPV to remain a persistent public health threat.

He emphasized that expanding access to prevention and treatment, fostering cross-specialty collaboration, and continuously updating scientific knowledge are critical to improving community outreach, awareness, and vaccination coverage.

For the first time, over 20 HPV-related studies from across the country were featured in a Scientific Poster Exhibition, offering a platform for research sharing and promoting interdisciplinary collaboration.

Featured studies explored topics such as public knowledge of HPV, vaccination behaviors, epidemiological trends, and communication strategies.

Standout poster titles included:

- "Current Knowledge and HPV Vaccination Needs of Women Aged 27–45 in Hanoi in 2024"

- "HPV Vaccination Practices Among Preventive Medicine Students at Hanoi University of Medicine"

- "Prevalence of Human Papillomavirus and Associated Factors Among Women Aged 18–69 in Can Tho City"

Top posters will be reviewed and recognized by a panel of experts.

The summit gathered more than 1,000 healthcare professionals from five core specialties -preventive medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, dermatology, and oncology -representing leading hospitals in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Fourteen domestic and international experts shared the latest scientific insights on HPV prevention, treatment, and care.

The conference gathered over 1,000 healthcare professionals from five key specialties: preventive medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, dermatology, and oncology -representing top-tier hospitals in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Photo courtesy of Vo Huy Vu

In addition to clinical interventions, the public is encouraged to adopt healthier behaviors, such as practicing safe sex, avoiding tobacco use, staying physically active, maintaining a balanced diet, and seeking accurate health information. Individuals are advised to consult with trusted healthcare providers for HPV-related screening, vaccination, and prevention.