The challenge
Cervical cancer is caused by persistent infection with human papillomavirus (HPV), which vaccination can prevent.
The case
In September 2008 England began offering the HPV vaccine routinely to girls aged 12–13 (school year 8), with a catch-up programme for those aged 14–18 in 2008–10. Researchers at King's College London and Public Health England compared cancer registry data for vaccinated groups with earlier, unvaccinated groups, adjusting for changes in screening. Among women offered the vaccine at 12–13, cervical cancer rates were 87% lower and rates of the most serious pre-cancer (CIN3) 97% lower. The reductions were smaller for those offered it later: 62% at 14–16 and 34% at 16–18. By mid-2019 the researchers estimated 448 fewer cervical cancers and 17,235 fewer cases of CIN3 than expected.
Why it worked
The researchers conclude that the programme has almost eliminated cervical cancer in women born since 1 September 1995. Reductions were largest for girls offered the vaccine youngest, at 12–13.
Sources
- World Health Organization. Cervical cancer (fact sheet).
- Falcaro, M., Castañon, A., Ndlela, B., et al. (2021). The effects of the national HPV vaccination programme in England, UK, on cervical cancer and grade 3 cervical intraepithelial neoplasia incidence: a register-based observational study. The Lancet, 398(10316), 2084–2092.
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