Can Women Get Far Fewer Cervical Cancer Screenings After HPV Vaccination?

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Source: MedPage Today

Original: https://www.medpagetoday.com/hematologyoncology/cervicalcancer/119712...

Published: Tue, 03 Feb 2026 13:42:43 -0500

Women vaccinated against HPV at a young age may limit cervical cancer screening to two or three cases in their lifetime, according to a computer modeling analysis.[1] The HPV vaccine is highly effective in preventing cervical cancer, reducing the risk of cervical cancer by 80 percent in girls vaccinated at age 16 or younger compared to those not vaccinated.[1][5] It also prevents precancerous changes in the cervix and other tissues.[1] Cochrane reviewed clinical trials and studies involving more than 132 million people, confirming consistent evidence of vaccine effectiveness without serious side effects.[1] The HPV vaccine protects against HPV types 16 and 18, which are responsible for most cases of cervical cancer.[2][3][7] Despite vaccination, regular screenings such as Pap tests or HPV DNA tests are important for early detection of changes.[2][3] The best protection is provided by a combination of HPV vaccination and cervical screening.[6]