Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a common sexually transmitted infection. It mainly increases the risk of cervical cancer. Some countries like the UK have recently started HPV vaccination programs to reduce this risk. In a recent study published in the BMJ, researchers have revealed that this HPV vaccination program in England worked effectively and reduced the number of cervical cancers. This vaccine was very effective and reduced this risk across all socioeconomic groups. But the women in poorer areas still face a higher risk of cervical cancer as compared to women in wealthier areas. Â
In this study, researchers used data related to cancer from NHS England. They mainly focused women aged between 20 and 64 years from January 2006 to June 2020. They compared data of vaccinated women with those who did not receive vaccination. They wanted to check whether this vaccine works effectively for a long time. Â
When researchers observed the collected data carefully, they found that the risk of cervical cancer and grade 3 precancerous cervical tumors (CIN3) was reduced and very low in women who were vaccinated. Researchers diagnosed 29,968 women with cervical cancer and 335,228 women with CIN3. These women were aged between 20 and 64. The risk of cervical cancer was reduced by 84% for women aged between 12 and 13. On the other hand, the risk of CIN3 was reduced by 94%.Â
In this study, researchers also found that this vaccine program effectively reduced the risk of cervical cancer and CIN3 for people of all areas. But the risk of these diseases was high in women who were living in the poorer areas. When women got this vaccine between the age of 14 and 18, it reduced the risk of CIN3 more in poorer areas as compared to wealthier areas. Â
The results of this study clearly show that the HPV vaccine program can effectively reduce the risk of cervical cancer and CIN3. So, healthcare professionals should arrange these vaccination programs more to save women from cervical cancers. Â
