Only 44 percent of Brazilian women aged 18 to 45 feel well informed about the HPV vaccine, according to a survey by research organization Instituto Locomotiva.
The study, conducted between July 15 and July 24, 2026, surveyed 800 women across Brazil. The result represents a slight improvement from 2025, when 38 percent of women reported knowing the vaccine very well.
Despite the increase in awareness, significant gaps in vaccination coverage persist across the country. Four in ten women surveyed stated that they either have not received the human papillomavirus shot or do not remember if they were immunized. Researchers noted that knowledge about the vaccine is significantly higher among women with higher incomes and higher levels of education.
Among women who remained unvaccinated in both 2025 and 2026, the primary reasons cited for missing the vaccine were age non-eligibility, financial cost, and a lack of clear information.
Cervical cancer mortality and HPV risk
The lack of public awareness comes as cervical cancer continues to take a heavy toll on women in South America's largest nation. Data from the research shows that approximately 20 women die every day in Brazil as a result of cervical cancer. The disease ranks among the leading causes of cancer deaths for Brazilian women up to 35 years of age.
Human papillomavirus is linked to roughly 99 percent of cervical cancer cases. HPV is a sexually transmitted virus that infects the cervix, the lower portion of the uterus located at the top of the vagina. Health authorities recommend HPV vaccination for both females and males aged 9 to 45, alongside routine medical checkups to prevent the development of the disease.
Transmission and expert medical insight
Marina Della Negra, medical director of vaccines at MSD Brasil, told news organization CNN that persistent infections caused by oncogenic HPV subtypes cause more than 99 percent of cervical cancers. Subtypes 16 and 18 are responsible for the vast majority of these cases. MSD Brasil operates as the domestic subsidiary of global pharmaceutical manufacturer Merck and Co.
Della Negra stated that at least 80 percent of sexually active women are expected to encounter at least one viral subtype of HPV during their lifetimes. She noted that while the immune system naturally clears the infection in most instances, persistent infections with high risk oncogenic subtypes can lead to precancerous cellular lesions. If these lesions are not identified and treated promptly, they can evolve into invasive cancer.
Medical experts emphasize that other factors can also increase the risk of cervical cancer, including immunosuppression, genetic predisposition, and tobacco smoking. Patient age further influences the progression of the virus. Most HPV infections in women under 30 years old resolve spontaneously, whereas viral persistence is more common in women over 30.
Symptoms, screening, and public health access
In its initial stages, cervical cancer may present no symptoms at all. As the tumor progresses, patients can experience warning signs such as abnormal vaginal bleeding, altered discharge with unusual color or odor, and pain during sexual intercourse. Advanced symptoms may also involve urinary changes, such as pain or difficulty urinating, and intestinal complications, including pain during bowel movements or blood in the stool.
Early diagnosis remains critical to successful cancer treatment and recovery. Preventive screening tests, such as the Papanicolaou test, commonly known as a Pap smear, can detect early cellular changes before they turn into cancer. In Brazil, these screening exams are provided free of charge through the country's public healthcare service, the Unified Health System, known locally as SUS.
