About this white paper

This white paper is an evidence-based call to action for Belgian policymakers on the implementation of tools required to eliminate HPV-related cancers and diseases in Belgium by 2030. The first version was published in November 2023, and updates were published in February 2025 and February 2026. It describes the current situation on vaccination, screening, and data collection, creates an overall ambition to eliminate HPV-related cancers and diseases in Belgium by 2030, and gives recommendations on how to achieve this ambition. The recommendations in this baseline plan ensure that all people are protected from highly preventable HPV-related cancers and diseases.

This report is developed with support of the following experts (in alphabetical order):

Prof. Dr. Maarten Albersen. Laboratory for Experimental Urology, Gene and Stem Cells Applications, Department of Development and Regeneration, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
Michel Candeur. Coordinator Centre de Coordination et de Référence pour le dépistage des cancers (CCRef asbl), Mont-Saint-Guibert, Belgium
Dr. Frederik Deman. Specialist Physician in Pathological Anatomy, Ziekenhuis aan de Stroom (ZAS), Antwerpen, Belgium
Dr. Bart Demyttenaere. Director Study Department and Policy, Solidaris, Brussels, Belgium.
Dr. Kobe Dewilde. Department of gynecology and obstetrics, University hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
Veerle Doossche. Policy officer, Sensoa, Antwerp, Belgium.
Anne De Middelaer. President Gynca’s, patient representative organization for gynecological cancers in Belgium, Sint-Niklaas, Belgium.
Dr. Pascale Grandjean. Department of gynecology and obstetrics, CHR Mons-Hainaut, Mons, Belgium.
Dr. Stéphanie Henry. Medical oncologist, “Head and Neck cancer” medical coordinator, BGOG steering committee member, Université Catholique de Louvain & CHU UCL Namur site Ste Elisabeth, Namur, Belgium.
Dr. Deborah Konopnicki. Chief of Medicine Department of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Saint-Pierre, Brussels, Belgium.
Dr. Patrick Martens. Director of Center for cancer detection Flanders, Bruges, Belgium.
Prof. Dr. Jean-Christophe Noel. Specialist Physician in Pathological Anatomy, Hôpital Universitaire Erasme, Brussels, Belgium
Prof. Dr. Willy Poppe. Department of gynecology and obstetrics, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven Belgium.
Prof. Dr. Philip Roelandt. Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
Prof. Dr. Beatrice Swennen. School of Public Health, Research Center of Health Policy and Systems – International Health, Université libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium.
Prof. Dr. Vincent Vander Poorten. Section Head and Neck Oncology, Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery and Department of Oncology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
Sandra Van den Eynde. Department Head Advocacy, Sensoa, Antwerp, Belgium.
Prof. Dr. Marc Van Ranst. Laboratory of Clinical and Epidemiological Virology (Rega Institute) and Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
Prof. Dr. Alex Vorsters. Centre for the Evaluation of Vaccination, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.
Prof. Dr. Wiebren Tjalma. Medical Coordinator Breast Clinic, Gynaecologist, Deputy Head of Gynaecological Oncology Department, University Hospital Antwerp, Edegem, Belgium.

Executive summary

Purpose and scope

This white paper presents a practical plan for eliminating Human Papillomavirus (HPV)-related cancers and diseases in Belgium by 2030. This plan aligns with Sweden’s approach and centers on three main tactics: vaccination, early screening, and data collection.

Background and context

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection is responsible for approximately 5% of cancers across the globe [1]. Although more than two hundred types of HPV have been identified, persistent infections of twelve types are linked with cancer. Another seven genotypes were sporadically recovered from cancer tissues, but their oncogenic potential is uncertain [2]. HPV16 and HPV18 are known to be responsible for most HPV-related cancers [3].

HPV is largely linked to cervical cancer, which is the most common form of cancer caused by the virus. However, the virus also plays a role in cancers of the vagina, vulva, anus, penis, as well as some parts of the head and neck [4]. Additionally, HPV is related to non-cancerous diseases such as genital warts [5] and recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP) [6]. It is estimated that over 1.000 people were diagnosed with cancer attributable to HPV in Belgium in 2021. Around 40% of these HPV-related cancers were not located in the cervix, underlining the importance of taking all HPV-related cancers into account when aiming for the elimination of the burden of cancers attributable to this virus [7] [8] [9].

Next to morbidity and mortality, HPV-related cancers are associated with a significant impact on quality of life. People living with HPV-related cancers have critical structures negatively impacted that are involved in breathing, eating, speaking, bodily waste elimination, and sexuality [10]. Cancer diagnoses in general are associated with a slightly decreased divorce rate, yet cervical cancer is linked to a higher divorce rate that may be due to the impact on intimacy and decreased sexual activity [11]. People who have survived head and neck cancer are twice as likely to die from suicide compared to people who have survived other types of cancer [12]. HPV-related cancers not only cause significant health burdens but also bring along substantial economic costs.

To tackle this widespread public health problem, the WHO and the European Commission have adopted strategies to eliminate cervical cancer, setting targets for vaccination, screening, and treatment. An overview of the most important targets is depicted in Table 1. These are further strengthened by the Council Recommendation on vaccine-preventable cancers to support Member States in increasing vaccination rates and improving monitoring of vaccination coverage, i.e. increasing efforts towards fully vaccinating at least 90% of girls against HPV at EU level by 2030, and aiming to significantly increase the vaccination of boys against HPV over the same period, so as to reduce the risk of transmission [13].

Despite these goals and sharp deadlines, country strategies at national and regional levels remain underdeveloped. Progress in achieving these targets varies between countries.

This report aims to assess the status, challenges, and opportunities in Belgium to contribute to the broader mission of reducing the burden of HPV-related cancers.

Read the full white paper here.