How do vaccines help prevent cervical cancer?
Quick Answer
HPV vaccines protect against the human papillomavirus types that cause most cervical cancers. By blocking infection, they reduce the risk of cancer later in life.
The Full Story
Cervical cancer is usually linked to persistent infection with high-risk types of human papillomavirus, especially HPV 16 and 18. Vaccines against HPV teach the immune system to block these viruses before they infect cells. The vaccine does not treat an existing infection, so it works best before exposure, which is why it is commonly recommended in adolescence. Since the first HPV vaccine was introduced in 2006, many countries have seen sharp declines in HPV infections and precancerous cervical changes. Regular screening is still important because vaccines do not cover every cancer-causing HPV type.
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