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New Survey Shows HPV Awareness Isn't Keeping Pace with Certain HPV-Related Cancer Trends in Canada
Merck (NYSE: MRK), known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, has released new data examining Canadians' knowledge of human papillomavirus (HPV) across age, gender, and regional groups. The survey revealed notable gaps in awareness—particularly among men and younger adults—even as rates of certain HPV‑related cancers continue to rise across the country.
About this update from Merck & Company, Inc.
[{"type":"text","content":"KIRKLAND, QC, April 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Merck (NYSE: MRK), known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, has released new data examining Canadians' knowledge of human papillomavirus (HPV) across age, gender, and regional groups. The survey revealed notable gaps in awareness—particularly among men and younger adults—even as rates of certain HPV‑related cancers continue to rise across the country.","length":412,"tagName":"p"},{"type":"image","alt":"Merck Logo (PRNewsfoto/Merck)","displaySize":"","headline":null,"caption":"Merck Logo (PRNewsfoto/Merck)","className":"","disableSlideshowImg":false,"size":{"original":{"width":148,"height":44,"url":"https://media.zenfs.com/en/cnwgroup.com/a31c818593c897369fcfa7d3a78ada87"},"resized":{"url":"https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/w1mDqlZPyjcRtT_j4ybKKw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTIxMDtoPTYy/https://media.zenfs.com/en/cnwgroup.com/a31c818593c897369fcfa7d3a78ada87","width":148,"height":44}},"href":"https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2814415/Merck_Logo.html","hrefExternal":true,"rel":"nofollow"},{"type":"text","content":"Key Survey Findings: ","length":20,"tagName":"p"},{"type":"list","items":[{"val":[{"type":"text","content":"Among younger adult respondents aged 18-24, fewer than half (49%) recognized HPV as a sexually transmitted infection, and about one‑third (34%) of the same group reported not knowing what HPV is.","length":195,"tagName":"p"}]},{"val":[{"type":"text","content":"Nearly one-third of men (31%) reported not knowing what HPV is, and close to half of all men (45%) were not aware of any potential consequences of a persistent HPV infection.","length":175,"tagName":"p"}]},{"val":[{"type":"text","content":"Awareness that the rate of certain HPV-related head and neck cancers, such as throat cancer, are increasing among men, was limited across age groups, with 53% of all respondents (both men and women) unaware of this trend.","length":221,"tagName":"p"}]},{"val":[{"type":"text","content":"Men were less likely than women to believe they played a role in helping reduce their risk of contracting or spreading an HPV infection (57% vs. 74%).","length":150,"tagName":"p"}]}],"tagName":"ul","bulletedList":true,"length":741,"olType":false},{"type":"text","content":"For more insights, refer to the HPV Awareness Factsheet.","length":56,"tagName":"p"},{"type":"text","content":"Unders...