Summary of the case: A new study from Scotland confirms that the HPV vaccine is very effective in preventing the development of cervical cancer. In 2022, no case of cervical cancer was found among Norwegian 25-year-olds who had taken the vaccine. Senior doctor Sveinung Sørbye encourages adults to take the vaccine, even if there is low support among this group. The vaccine also protects against other HPV-related cancers later in life. Although the vaccine is effective, the researchers emphasize the importance of regular examinations to detect any cell changes at an early stage. Calculations suggest that the number of cases of cervical cancer can be reduced to less than 100 per year by 2039 with the use of the vaccine. The summary is made by an AI service from OpenAI. The content is quality assured by news’s journalists before publication. We have heard the horror stories, and many of them have even very tragic outcomes. Young women in Norway who die of cervical cancer. But last year there was good news. Then it became known that the HPV vaccine has had a good effect. Because in 2022 there were no cases of cervical cancer among Norwegian 25-year-olds. And now a new study confirms the good results. Because in Scotland, a larger cohort of vaccinated women has been followed, where the follow-up period lasts longer than in Norway. And no cancer cases have been found here either. – The findings in the study from Scotland strengthen the data I have seen in Norway. That’s what Sveinung Sørbye says to news. He is senior physician in clinical pathology at the University Hospital of Northern Norway. Now he also encourages adults to take the important vaccine. What is HPV? Infection with HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection in both women and men. It is estimated that over 70 per cent of sexually active people will get an HPV infection during their lifetime, and that approx. 10 percent of the population at any given time is infected. HPV infection occurs most frequently in the youngest, sexually active age groups. HPV types that infect the skin and mucous membranes in the anogenital region are mainly transmitted by intercourse, but can also be transmitted via intimate skin contact. HPV infections cause no symptoms and go away on their own, but a small proportion of those infected can develop persistent infection. In more than 90 percent of cases, HPV infection will go away by itself within 4–24 months, but approx. 10 percent develop a persistent infection Started in 2008 The young women who are part of the study from Scotland were first vaccinated in 2008. They were then 12–13 years old. Now they are fully vaccinated, and the researchers think the results are very promising. – Together with regular screening for early detection and treatment, it is possible to make this a rare disease, says Dr Kirsty Roy to BBC News. She is a consultant in healthcare at Public health Scotland and one of the authors of the study. She is supported by her colleague, Dr. Claire Cameron, who believes that it is possible to eliminate the cancer completely. Cameron encourages everyone to take up the offer of a free HPV vaccine. The vaccine, which is now also offered to boys, also helps to protect against other HPV-related cancers later in life, the researchers explain. An encouragement Right now, over 300 women in Norway are diagnosed with cervical cancer every year. But calculations suggest that this number can be reduced to less than 100 cases annually by 2039. According to senior doctor Sveinung Sørbye, resistance to vaccination in Norway is low. Coverage is approximately 90 per cent among girls and boys in the 7th grade. – Nevertheless, there is disappointingly low support for vaccination among adults. This is partly due to the costs, but primarily a lack of knowledge that the vaccine can also be useful for this group, says Sørbye. He believes this lack of information should be addressed in order to achieve higher vaccination coverage. Senior physician at UNN, Sveinung Wergeland Sørbye. Photo: Universitetsykehuset Nord-Norge Check yourself anyway! Although the results show that the HPV vaccine protects against many of the different viruses that cause cancer, it does not protect us against all types of cancer. Therefore, the researchers emphasize that it is important anyway to go for regular examinations. Because with the help of screening, you can find changes in the cells in the cervix, even if you feel healthy and have no signs of symptoms. If these changes are discovered at an early stage, they are much easier to treat, the researchers warn.
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Promising findings about the HPV vaccine: Encourage adults to take it
