HPV vaccine is associated with "dramatic" fall of cervical disease

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Routine vaccination of girls with the HPV vaccine in Scotland has led to a "dramatic" drop in cervical disease later in life, suggests new research.

Human Papilomavirus (HPV) is a sexually transmitted infection and some types are related to cervical cancer.

Researchers said the vaccine has virtually eliminated cervical pre-cancer in young women since the vaccination program was launched 10 years ago.

They found that the vaccine resulted in a 90% reduction in the number of precancerous cells.

And they said the effects of the program had "exceeded expectations".

In the last decade, schoolgirls in the UK have consistently received HPV vaccine at the age of 12 or 13 years.

The vaccine uptake in Scotland is about 90%.

A team of academics from Caledonian universities of Strathclyde, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Glasgow analyzed vaccination records and screened 140,000 women who underwent their first cervical screening in 2008 to 2016.

Their study, published by the BMJ, concluded that the HPV vaccination program in Scotland had led to "a dramatic reduction in pre-invasive cervical disease".

He adds that the vaccine is "very effective" and should drastically reduce the incidence of cervical cancer in the future.

Cervical cancer is the second most common type of cancer in women under 35 in the UK.

"The results will need to be taken into account by cervical cancer prevention programs around the world," the study said.

What is the human papillomavirus (HPV)?

HPV is the name given to a common group of viruses; there are more than 100 types of HPV
Many women will be infected with HPV in their lifetime without any ill effects.
In the vast majority of cases, there will be no symptoms and the infection will go away on its own, but in some cases a persistent infection can result in cervical disease.
Some types of HPV are high risk because they are linked to the development of certain cancers.
Almost all cervical cancers (99.7%) are caused by high-risk HPV infection
Many types of HPV affect the mouth, throat or genitals. They are easy to catch – you can contract HPV through sexual contact.

Source: NHS choice

At the beginning of the vaccination program, the researchers thought that the vaccine would eliminate two types of HPV, responsible for 80% of precancerous diseases.

Instead, they discovered that it also eliminated three other types, which means it eliminates nearly 90% of pre-cervical cancers in Scotland.

Unvaccinated women also showed a reduction in the disease, suggesting that the interruption of HPV transmission in Scotland has created a substantial "herd protection", the researchers said.

Recent studies have also suggested that HPV plays a role in the formation of other cancers, particularly cancers of the head and neck, vulvovaginal and anus.

Dr. Kevin Pollock, of Caledonian University in Glasgow, said the "impressive" numbers confirm that "the HPV vaccine is expected to significantly reduce cervical cancer in the next few years ".

He added, "The main message is that the vaccine works.As long as the vaccination rate remains high, the virus has nowhere to go and it is being eliminated.

"We evaluated 140,000 women in this study and, since we can associate the status of vaccination with the disease, its impact is indisputable."

Laura's story: "A smear saved my life"

Legend

Laura McAdam was diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2016

Laura McAdam, 33, said she hoped the HPV vaccine would be available when she was in school.

In 2016, cervical cancer was diagnosed after a routine Pap smear revealed changes in her cervix despite the absence of symptoms.

Laura said she wished to have the HPV vaccine at school. She said, "If the injection they make in schools erases it now, it's an incredible news and I'm quite partisan."

"I think it's a good idea, I do not see why anyone would want to get it.

"I would take it to a heartbeat if it's going to prevent someone from going through what I've experienced."

"You never expect that to happen to you," she added.

& # 39; My nightmare will never be finished & # 39;

Due to complications, she was unable to undergo chemotherapy or radiation therapy. She had laser treatment, hysterectomy and lymph nodes.

Ms. McAdam from Ayrshire does not know if her cancer is coming back so she should have checks every six months.

She added, "Even though I've had treatment, I do not think my nightmare will ever end, because I'll be constantly worried about whether they have any cancers or they're coming back.

"I would advise all girls to be vaccinated, because there is evidence that it works, I would also advise women to get tested, and that test has saved my life.

"I would not want what happened on my worst enemy."

The research was well received by Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust. Robert Music, executive director of the association, said: "The results of this research are extremely interesting and clearly demonstrate the impact of the HPV vaccine in protecting cervical health for future generations.

"We are fortunate to have such an effective prevention program, which means that the elimination of cervical cancer is firmly under consideration.

"Focusing on communities and areas where the rate of use is below the national average should be a priority."

Public Health Minister Joe FitzPatrick MSP welcomed the report presented to the BMJ. He stated that this demonstrates "the significant and ongoing benefits of our immunization program".

The study showed that the program will "save lives" and that plans are in place to "build on this success" by expanding the HPV vaccination program to boys later this year.

He added: "It remains important that women continue to receive the invitation to undergo regular screening for cervical cancer because we know that it saves lives.

"The test is unique because it can prevent the disease even before it starts, and the resulting treatment of screening prevents the development of eight cancers of the cervix of the uterus."

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