Fewer young women diagnosed with cervical cancer following introduction of HPV vaccine.
Cervical cancer diagnoses dropped by one-third among young U.S. women after the HPV vaccine became available, according to CIRWH researchers. The findings were recently published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.
By comparing 4-year averages of cervical cancer among women before the HPV vaccine was available (2003-2006) and in recent years when the vaccine was recommended (2011-2014), Fangjian Guo and colleagues demonstrated significant reductions in cervical
cancer rates. Among women 25–34 years old, cervical cancer diagnoses dropped by 13%. Among women 15–24 years old, diagnoses dropped by a third.
These U.S.-based findings fit with evidence from other countries where decreases in cervical lesions following the introduction of the HPV vaccine have also been reported. Such evidence supports the use of the HPV vaccine as means to prevent cancer.
Dr. Guo and co-author Dr. Leslie Cofie are Fellows of the Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Women’s Health at UTMB. Co-author Dr. Abbey Berenson is director of the center.
The full paper will be published in the August issue of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine and is available online: https://www.ajpmonline.org/article/S0749-3797(18)31641-6/fulltext