Cervical cancer remains a significant threat to women's health in Europe, ranking as the second most common gynecologic cancer in women aged 45 and younger — and it's largely preventable. A new implementation research protocol called HPV-FASTER, published in Cancer Control, offers health systems a structured way to evaluate whether they're equipped to deliver HPV vaccination and HPV-based cervical cancer screening services simultaneously.

The protocol, developed by the HPV-FASTER-Implement Consortium, walks health systems through three key steps: a documentation desk review of local vaccination and screening policies, on-site visits to screening, colposcopy, and vaccination facilities, and in-depth interviews with program managers, policymakers, and health officials. Together, these steps paint a comprehensive picture of a system's governance infrastructure, human resources, and service delivery capacity.

Key Takeaways:

• The desk review maps out local laws, Ministry of Health guidelines, and documentation requirements
• Facility visits assess equipment, stock levels, and estimated vaccination and screening capacity
• Stakeholder interviews capture real-world insights from those managing and shaping programs
• The protocol is designed to be scalable and adaptable to different country contexts

Why it matters: Combining HPV vaccination with cervical cancer screening in a single health system touchpoint could dramatically boost prevention coverage — particularly for vulnerable populations. This protocol gives health systems the tools to identify gaps and implement targeted, context-specific solutions, moving the needle toward cervical cancer elimination across Europe.