HPV jabs cut risk of dying from cervical cancer before 30 to almost zero

The HPV vaccine, administered to girls and boys in year 8, has shown a substantial impact on cervical cancer mortality rates in England. Researchers from Queen Mary University of London (QMUL) analyzed official cancer mortality and vaccination data for women aged 20 to 34, finding that vaccinated women aged 30-34 have a 63% lower relative risk of death from the disease. The study, funded by Cancer Research UK and published in the Lancet, revealed that no women aged 20 to 24 died from cervical cancer in England between 2020 and 2024. This achievement can be attributed to the efforts of Professor Peter Sasieni and his team, as well as the UK's vaccination program.

The HPV vaccine's success is a significant development in the fight against cervical cancer, which is the fourth most common cancer in women, according to the World Health Organization. High-risk human papillomaviruses (HPV) cause 99% of cervical cancer cases, with about 3,300 women in England diagnosed with the disease every year. The vaccine, which also protects against certain cancers of the anus, penis, vagina, vulva, mouth, and throat, as well as genital warts, has been instrumental in reducing cervical cancer rates. The World Health Organization's global strategy on cervical cancer aims for 90% of girls to be vaccinated with the HPV vaccine by age 15, 70% of women to be screened, and 90% of those with cervical disease to be treated by 2030.

However, despite the vaccine's success, falling vaccination rates pose a significant risk to the progress made. The UK's vaccination rate has dropped to 75% nationally and 60% in London, which could lead to an increase in avoidable deaths. Cancer Research UK's chief executive, Michelle Mitchell, and Helen Hyndman, lead nurse at The Eve Appeal, have emphasized the need for urgent action to address the decline in vaccination rates and ensure timely treatment for those who need it.