Cervical screening still important despite promising new study

Local charity reacts to results of study funded by Cancer Research UK 

It's still important for women to attend their cervical screening appointments when invited, despite promising results from a recent study.

That's from the Isle of Man Anti-Cancer Association, which has run the Staywell Clinic on Island for over 60 years.

A study funded by Cancer Research UK published this week shows the HPV jab is working to help wipe out cervical cancer across the UK.

It estimates that around 200 lives in England have been saved so far thanks to the vaccine; and that vaccinated children now have a close to zero risk of dying from it before the age of 30.

Between 2020 and 2024, there were no deaths from cervical cancer in women aged 20-24 in England for the first time. 

HPV vaccine coverage in this group was close to 90 percent, and the vaccine was offered at age 12-13.

Reacting to the news online, the Isle of Man Anti-Cancer Association said: "Amazing news: it was announced today that cervical cancer is on track to be eradicated by 2040, due to school vaccination programmes! 

"Cancer Research UK helped prove the link between HPV and cervical cancer and led to the development of the HPV vaccine.

"The vaccination programme in England has been shown to reduce cervical cancer incidence rates by up to 90 percent.

"It’s important though that women still take up cervical screening when invited, even if they've had the HPV vaccine. 

"The HPV vaccine and cervical screening combined is the best way to prevent cervical cancer.

"Until now, it’s not been possible to show directly that HPV vaccination reduces cervical cancer deaths. 

"With vaccinated generations now reaching adulthood, this study provides the strongest national evidence to date that the vaccine is saving lives."

The UK government has pledged to eliminate cervical cancer as a public health problem by 2040.

But the latest data shows vaccination rates across the country have fallen below recommended levels.

Data from the UK Health Security Agency shows that 76 percent of girls in England were vaccinated by the age of 15 in 2024-25.

That's well below the 90 percent that the World Health Organization (WHO) says is needed to eliminate cervical cancer.

Isle of Man Anti-Cancer Association told Manx Radio: "It’s crucial that these children get vaccinated if we are truly to eradicate cervical cancer in the future.

"If a child has missed the vaccine slot, it is possible to contact their GP, and they will give you more information on how they can still get it before the age of 25."