Major study finds HPV jabs prevent up to 90 per cent of cases of the disease

A major study has found that cervical cancer has been virtually eradicated in young women due to the HPV vaccine’s ‘remarkable’ success.

 

Cases of the disease have fallen by 87 per cent as a result of the NHS vaccine programme, and among women who are now in their twenties, cases have now dropped from about 50 each year to just five.

 

The ‘historic’ findings by King’s College London represent the first evidence the vaccine is saving lives in the UK.

 

Currently, around 3,200 cases of cervical cancer are diagnosed each year in Britain, resulting in move than two deaths each day.

 

However, the recent study suggests the HPV vaccine will fundamentally eradicate the disease in younger generations and charities have said the findings show it will soon become a ‘rare disease’ and ‘thing of the past’.

 

Lead study author Professor Peter Sasieni, said “It’s been incredible to see the impact of HPV vaccination and now we can prove it prevented hundreds of women from developing cancer in England.

 

“We’ve known for many years that HPV vaccination is very effective in preventing particular strains of the virus, but to see the real-life impact of the vaccine has been truly rewarding.

 

“Assuming most people continue to get the HPV vaccine and go for screening, cervical cancer will become a rare disease.”

 

Michelle Mitchell, chief executive of Cancer Research UK, said “Results like this show the power of science.

 

“It’s a historic moment to see the first study showing that the HPV vaccine has and will continue to protect thousands of women from developing cervical cancer.”

 

Chadwick Lawrence’s specialist team of clinical negligence lawyers have years of experience in medical negligence claims, providing support and guidance after life-changing events.  Not only do we represent clients in Yorkshire, but because of our reputation we also represent clients nationally.

 

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Posted by Karen Motley, Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (tonymay@chadlaw.co.uk ), medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.

 

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