The UK May Soon Eliminate Cervical Cancer

The Lancet published a review of the UK's national human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination program and its positive impact on cervical cancer and grade 3 cervical intraepithelial neoplasia incidence.

Published on November 3, 2021, this observational study shows the use of HPV vaccines dramatically reduces cervical cancer rates by almost 90% in women in their 20s who were offered the vaccine beginning at age 12.

These researchers estimated that the HPV vaccination program prevented around 450 cervical cancers and about 17,200 cases of precancerous conditions over 11 years.

HPV vaccination was most effective when given between the ages of 11 and 13 when someone is less likely to have been exposed to HPV.

"It's a historic moment to see the first study showing that the HPV vaccine has and will continue to protect thousands of women from developing cervical cancer," stated Michelle Mitchell, Cancer Research UK's chief executive, in a related press statement.

"These data show that vaccination works in preventing some cancers."

The HPV virus is linked to vaginal, vulval, anal, penile, and some head and neck cancers.

Professor Peter Sasieni, the lead author from King's College London, commented, "It's been incredible to see the impact of HPV vaccination, and now we can prove it prevented hundreds of women from developing cancer in England."

These researchers analyzed the effectiveness of the bivalent Cervarix vaccine. 

Cervarix reduced cervical cancer incidence by 34% in those who received it aged 16 to 18, by 62% if aged 14 to 16, and by 90% in those who were vaccinated aged 12 to 13.

The U.S. FDA has Approved different types of HPV vaccines listed on this Precision Vaccinations webpage.