HPV vaccine cutting cervical cancer rates by 87%
pharmafile | November 4, 2021 | News story | Business Services |
The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is cutting cervical cancer rates by 87% in women who were offered the vaccine between the ages of 12 and 13 (who are now in their twenties), a Cancer Research UK-funding study found.
Researchers said that cases in this age group, which are rare, dropped from approximately 50 per year to just five. The study also found reductions in cervical cancer rates of 62% in women offered vaccination between the ages of 14 and 16, and 34% in women aged 16 to 18 when vaccination was introduced.
The study looked at what happened after the vaccine was introduced for girls in England in 2008, who are now adults in their 20s.
Cancer Research UK have said that the findings promised an optimistic future, and that cervical cancer could become a rare disease with the combined use of vaccines and screening.
According to The Guardian, Professor Peter Sasieni, lead study author, from King’s College London, said: “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. We’ve known for many years that HPV vaccination is very effective in preventing particular strains of the virus, but to see the real-life impact of the vaccine has been truly rewarding.”
Cancer Research UK CEO, Michelle Mitchell, said: “Results like this show the power of science. 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.”
With around 3,200 cases of cervical cancer diagnosed each year, the results of this study are ground-breaking, and will help to protect more women from preventable cases of cervical cancer.
Lina Adams
