Cervical cancer rates in young women have dropped dramatically in the United States since a vaccine for human pappilomavirus (HPV) became available.
States with high vaccination rates have seen the biggest drop in cervical cancer, while states with low vaccination rates have had little to no progress, according to a new study from the American Cancer Society (ACS). HPV causes 90% of cervical cancers.
Overall, cervical cancer rates in women ages 20 to 31 fell 27% from 2000-2005—before the vaccine was approved—to 2016-2021, after the shot became available, according to the study, published yesterday in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. Incidence rates during that time decreased from 5.1 cases per 100,000 people to 3.7 per 100,000.
Higher vaccination rates were associated with a faster decline in cervical cancer incidence rates. Every 10% increase in vaccination rates was associated with an 11.5% reduction in relative risk.
Cervical cancer rates fell by more than half in Hawaii, Michigan, Rhode Island, and Washington, D.C. Rates fell by 15% to 50% in 28 additional states. Declines in cervical cancer rates fell by less than 15% in 10 states.
The findings are similar to earlier studies, which show that cervical cancer rates are higher in counties with low vaccination rates.
“This study underscores the importance of supporting strong vaccination uptake and policies nationwide to reduce the burden of cancer,” said Lisa Lacasse, MBA, president of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, ACS’s advocacy affiliate. “ACS CAN believes that everyone should have access to safe and effective vaccines, including the HPV vaccine.”
Vaccine coverage has plateaued
Yet HPV vaccination efforts appear to have stalled, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Coverage among teens remained unchanged from 2022 to 2024, with 78.2% receiving one or more doses and 62.9% reporting they had received all recommended doses.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends two to three doses of HPV vaccines, depending on a person’s age. In January, the CDC reduced the number of recommended doses of HPV vaccines. Instead of two to three shots, agency now recommends a single shot, which some studies have found to be equally effective.
This study underscores the importance of supporting strong vaccination uptake and policies nationwide to reduce the burden of cancer.
An influential federal advisory committee to the CDC announced plans to conduct a “comprehensive review” of the HPV vaccine’s safety and efficacy, leading to concerns that the panel plans to stop recommending it.
About 13,360 new cases of cervical cancer are diagnosed a year, along with 4,320 deaths, according to the ACS.
