What's happened
A QMUL-led Lancet study shows the HPV vaccine has dramatically reduced cervical cancer deaths among 20-24-year-olds in England from 2020–2024. England also sees an 80% fall in deaths in 2015–2019 for this age group. Yet uptake gaps threaten future gains as vaccination rates fall in parts of the country.
What's behind the headline?
Key questions
- What has changed? The latest Lancet analysis confirms near-zero deaths 20–24 from cervical cancer in 2020–2024, tied to HPV vaccination.
- Who benefits? Primarily those vaccinated at 12–13, with broader protection through herd effects.
- What are the risks? Falling uptake threatens long-term gains; catch-up programmes and community outreach are crucial.
Implications for readers: Vaccination and screening remain essential tools against cervical cancer; improving uptake now will sustain progress.
Forecast
- If uptake rises to pre-Covid levels, deaths will continue to fall; if not, preventable deaths could rise, reversing current gains.
How we got here
Public health experts introduced the HPV vaccine in 2008 for girls and later for boys. The Lancet study, funded by Cancer Research UK and led by QMUL, links vaccination to strong declines in cervical cancer mortality among young adults. WHO notes HPV causes many cancers; vaccination is a key preventive measure.
Our analysis
AL Jazeera cites Lancet findingssupported by Cancer Research UK; Independent Business notes England’s 2024–2025 uptake and calls for targeted action; The Guardian highlights the near-zero mortality in 2020–2024 and the need to reverse falling uptake. Direct quotes: Cancer Research UK chief executive Michelle Mitchell: “We know the HPV vaccine is extremely effective at stopping cervical cancer before it starts and for the first time, these findings show it is saving lives.” — quoted across sources.
Go deeper
- What steps are being taken to boost HPV vaccine uptake where it is lowest?
- Will similar vaccination coverage be feasible in other countries?
More on these topics
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Cancer Research UK - Corporation
Cancer Research UK is a cancer research and awareness charity in the United Kingdom and Isle of Man, formed on 4 February 2002 by the merger of The Cancer Research Campaign and the Imperial Cancer Research Fund.
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Queen Mary University - Public university in London, England
Queen Mary University of London is a public research university in London, England, and a constituent college of the federal University of London. It dates back to the foundation of London Hospital Medical College in 1785.
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cervix uterine cancer - Cancer arising from the cervix
Cervical cancer is a type of cancer that develops in the cervix, the lower narrow part of the uterus (womb). It is due to the abnormal growth of cells that can invade or spread to other parts of the body. Early on, typically no symptoms are seen. Later symptoms may include abnormal vaginal bleeding, pelvic pain or pain during sexual intercourse. While bleeding after sex may not be serious, it may also indicate the presence of cervical cancer. Almost all cases (99%) are linked to genital human papillomavirus infection (HPV); most who have had HPV infections, however, do not develop cervical cancer. The risk is higher in people who smoke, have a weakened immune system, use birth control, start sex at a young age and have many sexual partners. Cervical cancer typically develops from precancerous changes over 10 to 20 years. About 75% of cervical cancers are squamous cell carcinomas, 20–25% are adenocarcinoma. Diagnosis is typically by cervical screening followed by a biopsy. Medical imaging is then done to determine whether or not the cancer has spread beyond the cervix. HPV vaccination is the most cost-effective public health measure against cervical cancer. HPV vaccines protect against...
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The Lancet - Peer-reviewed journal
The Lancet is a weekly peer-reviewed general medical journal. It is among the world's oldest and best-known general medical journals.
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World Health Organization
The World Health Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for international public health. The WHO Constitution, which establishes the agency's governing structure and principles, states its main objective as "the attainment