Information for the public

What is HPV?

HPV (Human Papillomavirus) is a very common virus that can cause cervical cancer in women. It spreads through skin-to-skin contact, often during sex. Most people will have it at some point, but sometimes it causes serious health problems.

What is the HPV FASTER Strategy?

The HPV FASTER strategy is an innovative approach designed to provide more effective and timely protection for women against cervical cancer. Instead of delaying screening until later in life or exclusively administering the HPV vaccine to adolescents, this strategy aims to:

  • Vaccinate women between the ages of 25 and 45

  • Simultaneously screen them for HPV

This dual approach facilitates earlier detection and prevention of cancer, proving beneficial even for women who may have already been exposed to the virus.

Why is this a big deal?

  • It’s faster – doing both screening and vaccination together gives quicker protection.

  • It’s smarter – the vaccine still helps even if you’ve already had some contact with HPV.

  • It saves lives – it catches problems early and prevents cancer from developing.

  • It helps more women – especially those who didn’t get the vaccine as teenagers or who don’t get regular screening.

Who is this for?

This project especially helps:

  • Women in countries where there aren’t good screening programs.

  • Older women who missed out on the HPV vaccine.

  • Areas with more cases of cervical cancer due to poor access to care.

How does it fit with global goals?

The World Health Organization wants to eliminate cervical cancer around the world. The HPV-Faster-Implement Project helps reach that goal faster by making prevention more effective and widely available.