The study\u2019s findings: 100 percent reduced death rate for cervical cancer<\/p>\n
The study itself considered data from 2001 to 2024 in women from three age groups\u201420 to 24, 25 to 29, and 30 to 34. Since most from the youngest group had been vaccinated at age 12 or 13, this was the first group to have the most access to the vaccine. Older groups had different access, as some were offered the vaccine up to age 18, and chose to get it. In the 25 to 29 age group, there was a 100 percent decrease in deaths (to zero) as well, and for those with less access or awareness of the vaccine in the 30 to 34 group, a 63 percent decrease.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe effect is huge,\u201d says Sasieni. \u201cWe have reduced deaths from cancer of the cervix by at least 80 percent.”<\/p>\n
Of course, since this was an observational study, he warns that in practical application, zero doesn\u2019t mean there\u2019s no chance of death. \u201cI would not be surprised if there are one or two deaths in this age group when the data are available for 2025,\u201d he says. \u201cBut the public health community set out to greatly reduce cancer of the cervix and deaths from cancer of the cervix, and they have achieved just that.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe reason for this stunning level of effectiveness is likely because the vaccine generates a very strong immune response which is durable, the vaccine is being given before exposure, and also because the 9-valent vaccine covers the types that cause over 90 percent of cervical cancers,\u201d adds Andrea Tufano-Sugarman<\/a>, gynecologic medical oncologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in Commack, New York.<\/p>\n