The Throat Cancer Foundation (TCF) welcomes today’s BBC coverage and stands alongside medical professionals like Dr Claire Cameron and educators such as Dom Cairns-Gibson in raising serious concerns about the disparity in Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine uptake across Scotland. We would further argue this is a nationwide issue, not limited to Scotland alone.
HPV-related throat cancers are a rising threat—particularly among men—and every child, regardless of postcode, deserves equal protection.
We are calling on Public Health Scotland and the Scottish Government to urgently develop and implement a targeted public health strategy to address this growing cancer risk. Doing so will not only save lives but also reduce long-term pressure on the NHS and spare countless families the devastation of a preventable disease.
Why This Matters to TCF
- HPV is a major cause of oropharyngeal (throat) cancer, particularly in men, and yet public awareness is still heavily skewed toward cervical cancer.
- TCF can fill the knowledge gap by educating families, schools and healthcare providers about the full risks of HPV, especially in deprived communities.
- The work being done by Dr Claire Cameron and Dom Cairns-Gibson aligns directly with our mission to prevent throat cancers and support early intervention through awareness and policy influence.
To read the full BBC news article click here. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c98j56zd0ejo
To support our work to help raise awareness, particularly around HPV and throat cancers, click here. https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/throatcancerfoundation
