The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is cutting cases of cervical cancer by nearly 90% according to the first real-world data.
Cancer Research UK described these findings as “historic” and said that it showed that the vaccine was saving lives. Nearly all cervical cancers are caused by viruses and the hope is that vaccination could almost eliminate the disease. The researchers have said that the success meant that those who were vaccinated may need far fewer cervical smear tests too.
Depending on where they live in the UK, girls between the ages of 11 and 13 are offered the vaccine.
The study, published by Lancet, examined what happened after the vaccine was introduced in 2008. Participants are now adults in their 20s, the study showed a reduction in both pre-cancerous growths and an 87% reduction in cervical cancer.
The reductions were less dramatic when older teenagers were immunized as part of a catch-up campaign. This is due to the fact that fewer older teenagers decided to get the vaccine and ideally it should be administered before they become sexually active.
Overall the study estimated that the HPV programme has prevented about 450 cancers and 17 200 pre-cancers.
While there are still questions about the vaccine and how long the protection will last over 100 countries have begun using the vaccine as part of the WHO’s plans to get close to eliminating cervical cancer.
Dr Vanessa Saliba, a consultant epidemiologist for the UK Health Security Agency, said the findings were “remarkable” and showed the vaccine “saves lives by dramatically reducing cervical cancer rates among women”.
Michelle Mitchell, the chief executive at Cancer Research UK, said: “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.”
Sources: BBC, MSN
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