HPV Vaccination and Cervical Cancer Prevention: One of Public Health's Greatest Opportunities
Key Highlights
- ➤HPV infections fell 88% among teen girls and 81% among young adult women
- ➤Cervical cancer incidence declined 27% among U.S. women ages 20 to 31
- ➤England recorded zero cervical cancer deaths among women ages 20 to 24, 2020-2024
- ➤U.S. cervical cancer screening rates have declined and remain below pre-pandemic levels
Expert Statements
Dr. Gourdine, SVP and Chief Medical Officer for CVS Caremark
“The HPV vaccine is recommended beginning in adolescence because it is most effective before exposure to the virus.”
Dr. Gourdine, SVP and Chief Medical Officer for CVS Caremark
“When your child is 11 or 12 years old, it can feel uncomfortable to think about care connected to their future sexual activity-but this is one of the best tools we have to prevent cervical cancer, as well as other HPV-related cancers that can affect both women and men.”
Dr. Joanne Armstrong, VP and Chief Medical Officer, Women's Health and Genomics, CVS Health
“Cervical cancer screening remains essential, even for people who have received the HPV vaccine.”
Dr. Joanne Armstrong, VP and Chief Medical Officer, Women's Health and Genomics, CVS Health
“Following recommended screening guidelines can help identify precancerous changes before they become cancer, when treatment may be most effective.”
WOONSOCKET, RI / ACCESS Newswire / October 6, 2026 / Originally published on CVS Health Company Newsroom
Cervical cancer was once one of the most common causes of cancer-related death among women in the United States. Today, it is one of the most preventable cancers through human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination and routine cervical cancer screening. The HPV vaccine also protects boys and girls against other HPV-related cancers that can develop later in life.
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