Desk Report
Publish: 04 Nov 2021, 05:50 pm
Representational Image || Photo: Collected
The
human papillomavirus, or HPV, vaccine is cutting cases of cervical cancer by
nearly 90%, the first real-world data shows, reports BBC.
Cancer
Research UK described the findings as "historic", and said it showed
the vaccine was saving lives.
Nearly
all cervical cancers are caused by viruses, and the hope is vaccination could
almost eliminate the disease.
The
researchers said the success meant those who were vaccinated may need far fewer
cervical smear tests too.
Cervical
cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women around the world, killing more
than 300,000 each year.
Almost
nine-in-10 deaths are in low and middle-income countries where there is little
access to cervical cancer screening. The hope is vaccination will have an even
bigger impact in those countries than wealthier nations such as the UK.
More
than 100 countries have starting using the vaccine as part of World Health
Organization plans to get close to eliminating cervical cancer.
In
the UK, girls are offered the vaccine between the ages of 11 and 13, depending
on where they live. The vaccine has also been offered to boys since 2019.
The
HPV vaccine can only prevent an infection, it cannot rid the body of the virus
once it has been caught. The viruses are so widespread that immunisation has to
be aimed at children before they become sexually active.
The
study, published in the Lancet, looked at what happened after the vaccine was
introduced for girls in England in 2008.
Those pupils are now adults in their 20s. The study showed a reduction in both pre-cancerous growths and an 87% reduction in cervical cancer.
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Topic : HPV Vaccine Cervical cancer
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