• Taking place 12-15 November at the EICC, IPVC 2024 brings researchers, clinicians, and other health professionals together to discuss the prevention of HPV infection and other associated diseases and cancers. 
• 1,800 delegates to attend IPVC 2024, organised by the International Papillomavirus Society, whose aim is to contribute to the elimination of HPV-related diseases 
• A study this year by Cancer Research UK led by experts at Queen Mary University of London revealed that the HPV vaccine combined with cervical screening can dramatically reduce cervical cancer to the point where almost no-one develops it.
• Globally, it is estimated that 620,000 new cancer cases in women and 70,000 new cancer cases in men are caused by HPV each year.
• The EICC has supported the International Papillomavirus Society to deliver a schools and universities engagement programme across Scotland, with a focus on communities with low vaccination rates, to raise awareness and facilitate access.

Edinburgh, 7 November 2024 – The 36th International Papillomavirus Conference (IPVC) takes place in Edinburgh between 12-15 November, bringing researchers, clinicians, and other health professionals together to discuss the prevention of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and other associated diseases and cancers. The conference will have a significant focus on cervical cancer which is associated with HPV in over 90% of cases.

Globally, an estimated 620,000 new cervical cancer diagnoses and 70,000 HPV related cancers in men are diagnosed each year. HPV is responsible for almost all cases of cervical and anal cancer and is associated with cancers of the throat, vulva and penis. 

A study earlier this year by Cancer Research UK led by experts at Queen Mary University of London revealed that the HPV vaccine combined with cervical screening can dramatically reduce cervical cancer to the point where almost no-one develops it.

1,800 delegates from across the world are expected to attend IPVC 2024. The event is organised by the International Papillomavirus Society, as part of its mission to contribute to the elimination of HPV-related diseases.

For the first time in its history, IPVC will feature an awareness stream, with input from people with lived experience of HPV-related cancer and civil society organizations around the world working with IPVS to improve public awareness of HPV and cancer prevention.

The EICC has supported the International Papillomavirus Society in a public awareness and engagement campaign targeting Scottish schools, colleges and universities, with a focus on communities with low vaccination rates, to raise awareness and facilitate access.

On the first day of the conference next week, Tuesday 12th November, the EICC will be part of a string of Scottish landmarks to light up in purple to drive visibility and increase awareness of HPV across the country. Light-ups are an established feature of International HPV Awareness Day on March 4^th which is coordinated by IPVS in partnership with over 100 organisations around the world. Other locations to light up purple on 12^th November include the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh Napier University, University of Glasgow and University of Aberdeen.

Professor Suzanne Garland, IPVS President and Co-Chair of IPVC 2024, commented: “Thirty-two years ago, Edinburgh hosted the 11^th IPVC, at which time the path to cervical cancer being eliminated was being opened, with the availability of safe, effective vaccines from 2007, and high precision cervical screening tools. More recently – and now, as the 36^th IPVC returns to Edinburgh, researchers and scientists from all over the world will meet to discuss how these practices can be achieved globally by following the WHO strategy of 90-70-90 (90% of young girls being vaccinated, 70%  of women  screened at least twice in a lifetime at 35 and 45 years of age, and 90% of cancer or pre-cancer being appropriately treated). It is especially fitting that the IPVC returns to Scotland, with the country’s network of HPV investigators, it has established itself as a world leader in vaccine effectiveness and HPV expertise.”

Gayle McGuinn, Head of Associations at EICC, said: “IPVC 2024 is a large-scale conference, bringing experts, researchers and clinicians to Edinburgh from across the world, around a subject matter which permeates society and affects every individual on the planet. We’re really proud to support the International Papillomavirus Society with the important public awareness campaign that surrounds their conferences, and which is delivering tangible societal impact through their engagement programme with schools and universities.”