A recent report from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) highlights a significant reduction in precancerous cervical lesions among young women, reinforcing the effectiveness of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine in preventing cervical cancer.
According to the CDC’s findings, the rate of precancerous lesions among women aged 20 to 24 who were screened for cervical cancer dropped by approximately 80% between 2008 and 2022. Similar declines were observed in other age groups, with rates falling by 37% among women aged 25 to 29.
“The data are consistent with a considerable impact from the US HPV vaccination program on cervical precancers, with the largest decreases in the youngest age group for which the benefits of vaccination would first be observed,” the CDC report stated.
The agency further expects continued declines in older age groups as more vaccinated individuals reach those age ranges.
HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the US, and certain strains of the virus are known to cause cervical cancer. The CDC estimates that HPV is responsible for approximately 10,800 cervical cancer cases annually. Since its introduction in 2006, the HPV vaccine has been recommended for children at ages 11 to 12, with catch-up vaccinations available through age 26.
The CDC report aligns with global research showing that increased HPV vaccination rates correspond to lower incidences of cervical precancer. Cancer-prevention researcher Jane Montealegre of MD Anderson Cancer Center emphasized the significance of the findings, stating,
“This should reassure parents that they’re doing the right thing in getting their children vaccinated against HPV.”
Axios and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
