PEMBROKE PARK, Fla. — Dr. Ahmedin Jemal worries that not enough is being done in some states to save the lives of teenage girls and women, as the human papillomavirus continues to cause cervical cancer.
A new study by The American Cancer Society, recently published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, showed cervical cancer rates have decreased in states with high HPV vaccine rates.
HPV is responsible for more than 40,000 cases of cancer annually nationwide, including cancer of the throat, cervix, anus, vulva, penis, and vagina.
“In younger women under 50, cervical cancer is the third leading cause of cancer deaths,” said Jemal, who co-authored the new study.
Jemal was among the researchers who agreed that the study also showed there are “implications for reinforcing HPV vaccination efforts” to address regional disparities.
HPV vaccination is recommended for routine administration at age 11 or 12 years, and starting at age 9. Research shows that on-time HPV vaccination by age 13 offers the best protection.
“We have to look at HPV vaccination as a preventive measure,” Jemal said.
The states that showed little to no progress after the release of the HPV vaccine in 2006 included Vermont, where rates increased by 11%, and West Virginia, where rates increased by 9%.
Researchers found that while cervical cancers declined nationwide by 27%, the rates only fell by 3% in Idaho and by 4% in Arkansas and Alabama.
In a statement, Dr. Hyuna Sung, the senior author, and Chenxi Jiang, the lead author, said the study offers an opportunity for a “tailored” or “targeted” response.
“Our study provides further evidence that the benefits of one of the most effective and highly affordable cancer prevention measures remain unevenly distributed across states,” Sung said, adding that it also raised awareness about “cohorts of young women with inadequate protection.”
ACS recommends that average-risk women start cervical cancer screening at age 25 and undergo primary HPV testing every five years through age 65. High-risk patients require more frequent screening.
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