What's happened
New QMUL-led study, funded by Cancer Research UK and published in The Lancet, shows the HPV vaccine has greatly reduced cervical cancer deaths in England among 20-24 year-olds, with near-zero mortality for those vaccinated at 12–13. Despite progress, uptake has fallen, threatening future gains.
What's behind the headline?
Critical analysis
- The study confirms the vaccines’ life-saving impact and quantifies deaths prevented since rollout, aligning with WHO targets in prior years.
- It highlights a worrying drop in uptake across regions, notably London, threatening continued gains in mortality reduction.
- Policy implications point to targeted action to boost uptake and ensure equity of access for all communities.
- Readers should consider how local vaccination and screening programs are performing and what steps could improve participation.
How we got here
The Lancet study analyses mortality and vaccination data for 20–34-year-olds, tracing the vaccine’s impact since its 2008 introduction for girls and 2019 for boys. It finds a dramatic fall in deaths among young women since vaccination began. England has seen no cervical cancer deaths in women aged 20–24 between 2020 and 2024, a historic first.
Our analysis
Independent Business reports on QMUL-led Lancet study funded by Cancer Research UK, noting England’s zero cervical cancer deaths in 20–24s between 2020–2024 and a projected risk if uptake remains low. The Guardian provides broader context on uptake declines and expert calls for rapid action to reach under-vaccinated groups, while emphasizing the jab’s additional protections against other cancers and warts.
Go deeper
- What prevents higher vaccination uptake in your area?
- How does the vaccination rate affect future cancer deaths in your community?
- What more can schools and local health systems do to increase reach?
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 of London - 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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Cervical Cancer (Cervix Uteri) - 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...