HPV vaccine 'offers chance' of wiping out cervical cancer in rich countries

[nitpicker]

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2019/jun/26/hpv-human-papilloma-virus-vaccine-cervical-cancer-elimination-study

HPV vaccine 'offers chance' of wiping out cervical cancer in rich countries

Sarah Boseley Health editor

Wed 26 Jun 2019 23.30 BST Last modified on Thu 27 Jun 2019 07.41 BST

Elimination of cervical cancer in wealthy countries such as the UK may be possible within decades, say experts, following a major study showing the success of the HPV jab in protecting women.

Human papilloma virus, which is sexually transmitted, can cause cervical cancer as well as anogenital warts. Data from high-income countries shows vaccination has led to an 83% reduction in HPV infections in 15- to 19-year-old girls over five to eight years. Among women aged 20 to 24, infections are down 66%.

Major reductions also took place in anogenital warts and precancerous lesions, which can be the precursor to cervical cancer. HPV vaccination has only been available for 10 years, so the effect on cancers is not yet known, although it is predicted they will also drop significantly.

The research, published in the Lancet medical journal, will bolster the determination of the World Health Organization, which is setting goals for reducing the number of cases of cervical cancer to no more than four per 100,000 population, below the threshold for a rare disease.
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