Cervical cancer: study confirms importance of HPV vaccination
According to a new study, the introduction of vaccination against the human papillomavirus (HPV) has led to a significant decrease in cervical cancer. According to the researchers, the vaccine reduced cases by up to 87 percent.
According to a recent Message found that the UK’s HPV vaccination program had prevented around 450 cases of cervical cancer and around 17,200 precancerous lesions by mid-2019.
Effect particularly high in young people vaccinated
The in the journal “The Lancet“Published study looked at all cervical cancers diagnosed in England between January 2006 and June 2019 in women aged 20 to 64 years.
The vaccination program started in England in 2008 and used the bivalent vaccine Cervarix, which protects against the two most common types of HPV. The quadrivalent vaccine Gardasil has been used instead since September 2012.
The researchers report that in the young women who received the Cervarix vaccine at the age of twelve or 13, cervical cancer cases fell by 87 percent. In women who received their HPV vaccine between the ages of 16 and 18, the decrease was 34 percent.
Cervical cancer from human papillomavirus
Sexually transmitted human papillomavirus (HPV) is the main cause of cervical cancer. The vaccine, according to London experts, has the greatest benefit when given before the first sexual activity. The virus has also been linked to other cancers, including vaginal, vulvar, anal, penile, and some head and neck cancers.
This cancer could become a rare disease
“Now we have been able to show that hundreds of women in England have been prevented from developing cancer. We have known for many years that HPV vaccination against certain strains of the virus is very effective, but seeing the effects of the vaccine in real life has been really rewarding, ”said first author Professor Peter Sasieni of the School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences.
He added, “Assuming most people continue to get the HPV vaccine and go to screening, then cervical cancer will become a rare disease. This year we have already seen the power of vaccines in controlling the COVID-19 pandemic. These data show that vaccinations work in preventing some types of cancer. “
Dr. Vanessa Saliba, Epidemiologist Consultant on Immunizations at Public Health England, said, “These remarkable results confirm that the HPV vaccine saves lives by dramatically reducing cervical cancer rates in women. This reminds us that vaccines are one of the most important tools that help us live longer and healthier lives. “
And: “This fantastic achievement was made possible thanks to the high level of acceptance of the HPV vaccination in England. We encourage everyone who is eligible for the HPV vaccine to get vaccinated when it is offered at school. All authorized persons can be vaccinated up to their 25th birthday. Together with cervical screening, this will help protect more women from preventable cases of cervical cancer. “(Ad)
Author and source information
This text complies with the requirements of specialist medical literature, medical guidelines and current studies and has been checked by medical professionals.
Sources:
- King’s College London: HPV vaccine reduces cervical cancer by 87%, (accessed: 07.11.2021), King’s College London
- Milena Falcaro, PhD Alejandra Castañon, PhD Busani Ndlela, PhD Marta Checchi, MSc Kate Soldan, PhD Jamie Lopez-Bernal, PhD Lucy Elliss-Brookes, BSc Prof Peter Sasieni: The effects of the national HPV vaccination program in England, UK, on cervical cancer and grade 3 cervical intraepithelial neoplasia incidence: a register-based observational study; in: The Lancet, (published: 03.11.2021), The Lancet
Important NOTE:
This article is for general guidance only and is not intended to be used for self-diagnosis or self-treatment. He can not substitute a visit at the doctor.