It’s possible to virtually eliminate this type of cancer with existing vaccines. Some countries are already on track to achieve this goal within a decade, but many others lag behind.

This is a huge opportunity to save hundreds of thousands of women every year.

In this article, we describe the cause of cervical cancer and how we can use incredibly effective vaccines to eliminate it.

Cervical cancer is one of several cancers caused by pathogens — in this case, the “human papillomavirus” (HPV).

There are hundreds of types of the virus, but only a handful are responsible for most cases of cervical cancer.

The virus is also responsible for a large share of other cancers, including anal cancer, penile cancer, vulval cancer, vaginal cancer, and some head and neck cancers.¹

HPV is a very common virus that spreads through physical contact — especially through sex, kissing, or touching — and can infect cells in the cervix, vagina, penis, mouth, and some other parts of the body.

In some people infected by HPV, the virus integrates itself into cells’ DNA and damages key proteins that protect us from uncontrolled cell growth — eventually leading to cancer.

This link between HPV and cervical cancer was uncovered in the 1980s by the scientist Harald zur Hausen, who later won a Nobel prize for the discovery.²

Before this, researchers debated whether hormones, environmental toxins, or other factors were responsible. Zur Hausen’s team focused on human papillomaviruses, which were then known to cause genital warts.

The team identified viral DNA in cervical cancer cells and found that the virus was present in the cancer cells and integrated their DNA. HPV was able to disrupt key functions of cells by damaging proteins like “p53”, which is critical in stopping cells from multiplying if they develop potentially harmful mutations.³

Further research confirmed their findings and helped uncover the role of HPV in a range of other cancers.¹

HPV vaccines are highly effective in preventing infections and cervical cancer

Because cervical cancer is caused by a virus, it can be prevented through vaccination.

The first HPV vaccine was developed in the 1990s by researchers in Australia.⁴

It was first introduced in 2006 and is effective against four major types of HPV.⁵ Another version, introduced in 2014, expanded its coverage to protect against additional cancer-causing HPV types.⁶

These vaccines work by stimulating the immune system to produce antibodies that can eliminate HPV and prevent infections.⁷

HPV vaccines are highly effective, which has been demonstrated in large-scale randomized controlled trials. Research shows that, if given early, vaccination reduces the risk of serious cervical cell changes by 99% for the HPV types most likely to cause cervical cancer.⁸

Recent research has found that even a single dose provides high efficacy against infections.⁹

The vaccine is most effective when given early — before people are exposed to the virus. Vaccination programs in schools are, therefore, very impactful in making the most of HPV vaccines.

There is also another important reason for giving out these vaccines in schools: the vaccine’s efficacy is long-lasting¹⁰, and vaccination programs are much easier to implement at scale through schools than vaccinating individuals at clinics.¹¹

Cervical cancer rates have declined greatly among younger generations with vaccination

In England, younger cohorts vaccinated at school show dramatically lower rates of cervical cancer than older cohorts when they reached the same age. This is shown in the chart below.¹²

In the youngest cohort, which had a vaccination rate of 89%, cervical cancer rates were around 87% lower than in the oldest cohorts.

Large reductions in cervical cancer rates have also been seen in other countries with high vaccination rates … ¹³ 

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