A new reference study confirms the importance of vaccines against cervical cancer

“Vaccination may reduce the incidence of cervical cancer by 80% in people who received vaccination at age 16 or earlier,” explains research conducted by the Cochrane organization.

The vaccine against human papillomavirus (HPV) drastically reduces the risk of cervical cancer, especially if given at a young age. This is what a large-scale study in France concluded on Monday, November 24, confirming the level of knowledge on this issue. “HPV vaccination may reduce the incidence of cervical cancer by 80% in people who received the vaccination at age 16 or earlier”describes research carried out by the Cochrane organization, which brings together many international researchers and the quality of its work is widely agreed.

While the benefits of anti-HPV vaccination are widely known, this sexually transmitted virus is the cause of various pathologies including, first and foremost, cervical cancer. Many countries are now implementing vaccination programs among adolescents, but are often met with reluctance amid skepticism towards vaccines. In this context, Cochrane, which has studied this subject in the late 2010s, published two new reviews of the existing scientific literature, while many new studies have been carried out.

The first review, based only on clinical laboratory tests, concluded that the vaccine was safe, but not effective against cervical cancer, because the study lacked a time perspective. On the other hand, the second study, which collected more than 200 studies carried out to measure the impact of vaccination campaigns, clearly concluded that there was a decisive effect in preventing the appearance of this cancer. This impact will be greater if vaccination is carried out earlier: at older ages, many young people are already exposed to the virus due to being sexually active, thereby weakening the protective effect of the vaccine.

As for other cancers – vulva, anus, penis – linked to HPV, the vaccine appears to be effective, but the evidence is weak. “lower quality” Due to the rarity of this pathology, this has led to less research. Like the first study, this study also shows certainty regarding side effects: anti-HPV vaccination “not associated with a greater risk of long-term side effects or infertility”concluded the researchers.