The Beginning of the End for Cervical Cancer

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A few weeks ago, I mentioned that there are two cancer-preventing vaccines. The first is the Hepatitis B vaccine, which I discussed in a previous blog post (https://www.rx4trauma.com/post/preventing-cancer). The second is the human papillomavirus vaccine, or HPV vaccine.

Illustration of a virus particle prominently displaying its spike proteins against a light blue background. Photo created by AI.

There are over 100 types of human papillomavirus. Some cause benign warts, while others can lead to cancer—cervical, anal, penile, and throat cancers, to name a few. HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States, with more than 14 million new infections diagnosed each year.

Most people infected with HPV have no symptoms, which makes it easy to spread. Sometimes you might notice a wart on your finger (caused by one strain of the virus), and other times warts may appear in the genital area (caused by different strains). But in people who have no visible warts, how is HPV diagnosed?

In asymptomatic women, it is often detected through a Pap smear. Pap smears are the somewhat cumbersome exams where your feet go in the stirrups and you stare at the ceiling while the doctor makes awkward conversation and collects cells from your cervix. The test can detect abnormal cells that may later develop into cervical cancer. The good news is that women with abnormal Pap smears can undergo further testing and treatment to prevent cancer from developing.

A woman sits on an examination table in a hospital gown, awaiting her medical consultation. Photo created by AI.

Prevention at its best.

But wait—we can go one step further.

In 2006, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the Gardasil vaccine for females to protect against the strains of HPV most likely to cause cancer and genital warts. This recommendation was later expanded to include males and eventually all individuals between the ages of 11 and 45. Studies show that the vaccine prevents about 90% of HPV-related cancers.

Last year, Australia announced that, because of its nationwide vaccination and screening programs, it is on track to eliminate cervical cancer in the entire country by 2035.

Read that again.

No cervical cancer in all of Australia within ten years.

Seems pretty foolproof, right?

So, what’s the problem?

In the United States, there has been significant vaccine hesitancy surrounding Gardasil. Anecdotes and videos on platforms like TikTok have spread misinformation about side effects. The most common side effect is pain at the injection site, and fainting can rarely occur in adolescents. There has been no proven link between the vaccine and more serious diseases—such as autoimmune hepatitis or paralysis—that are often discussed on social media.

A woman sits on a bench, engrossed in her phone amidst a tranquil park setting. Photo created by AI.

I have also heard the argument that if HPV is sexually transmitted, why do children as young as 11 need the vaccine? The answer is rooted in immunology. Children who receive the vaccine at age 11 develop a stronger immune response against the virus and may even require fewer doses to achieve full protection. This is why, from a medical standpoint, the earlier the vaccine is given, the better.

The reality is that the HPV vaccine is not about encouraging sexual activity—it is about cancer prevention. We have a safe, effective tool that can prevent multiple types of cancer before exposure to the virus ever occurs. Opportunities like this in medicine are rare. A simple series of shots in adolescence can mean a lifetime reduction in cancer risk. That’s not just good medicine—that’s prevention at its very best.

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