New Cancer Prevention Act Funds $5M Annual Campaign to Boost HPV Vaccine Rates Through 2030

The PREVENT HPV Cancers Act of 2025 is a straightforward piece of legislation focused on boosting public health, specifically by tackling cancers caused by the Human Papillomavirus (HPV). If you’re between 25 and 45, you probably know HPV primarily causes cervical cancer, but the bill points out it’s also responsible for about 39,300 cancer cases annually, including oral and anal cancers, and it affects men just as much as women. This bill’s main purpose is to fund awareness and improve cancer screening access.

The $5 Million Vaccine Awareness Push

The centerpiece of this bill is the creation of a national public awareness campaign run by the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the CDC. Starting in Fiscal Year 2026 and running through 2030, the bill authorizes $5 million annually to fund this effort (SEC. 3). This isn't just a generic public service announcement campaign, though. The law requires the CDC to consult with experts and award grants to nonprofit entities to develop media and public engagement that is "culturally and linguistically competent."

What does that mean in practice? It means the campaign has to specifically target communities where vaccination rates are low or cancer rates are high. Think tailored information for active-duty service members, veterans, and people in rural areas, where the bill notes that adolescents are less likely to complete the vaccine series. The campaign will focus on the recommended age range for the vaccine, its safety, and its cancer-preventing benefits. For parents, this is the government stepping up to combat vaccine misinformation and provide clear, reliable facts so you can make informed decisions for your kids.

Bolstering the Cancer Safety Net

Beyond vaccination, the bill addresses cancer screening, particularly for women. It amends the Public Health Service Act to increase funding for the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP). This program provides essential cancer screenings to low-income, uninsured, and underserved women. The bill increases the authorized funding level for the NBCCEDP from the previous baseline of $275 million to $300 million for each fiscal year from 2026 through 2030 (SEC. 4).

While a $25 million increase might not sound huge in the context of federal spending, it’s a necessary boost to a program designed to catch cancers early, which is crucial given the bill’s finding that screening rates have declined, leading to more advanced diagnoses. Furthermore, the bill extends the sunset date for the program’s National Advisory Committee on Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection until 2030, ensuring that the experts guiding the program can continue their work.

Real-World Impact: Who Benefits and How

If you have a child between 9 and 12, this bill means better public information and a higher likelihood that your pediatrician will be armed with resources to recommend and discuss the HPV vaccine. If you live in a rural area, you should expect to see more targeted, accessible information about the vaccine. For women who rely on public health services for preventative care, the funding increase for the NBCCEDP should help stabilize and potentially expand access to screenings like Pap tests and mammograms.

Overall, this legislation is a focused effort to use public funds—$5 million annually for the campaign, plus the increased screening funds—to address a preventable health crisis. It’s a good example of policy directly targeting the root cause of a disease (vaccination) while simultaneously strengthening the safety net for early detection (screening). The success of the awareness campaign, however, will hinge on the CDC's execution—specifically, how well those grants are awarded and whether the messaging truly resonates with the diverse communities it needs to reach.