Human papillomavirus: impact of cervical cancer vaccine

Article By:

Groff, Rachel Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado.

Last reviewed:2009

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1036/1097-8542.YB090091

Cervical cancer causes significant morbidity and mortality for women worldwide. Approximately 600,000 cases are diagnosed around the world each year, and it is estimated that 2 million women worldwide are afflicted with this disease at any given time. Because of the lack of cervical cancer (Pap) screening programs in underdeveloped countries, 270,000 women will die each year worldwide, compared to 5000 women in the United States, where screening is much more readily available. After years of research, it is now known that the human papillomavirus (HPV) is responsible for causing cervical cancer through sexual contact. Prior to the introduction of a vaccine against certain types of HPV, mortality from cervical cancer had decreased as a result of Pap screening, but these programs were costly and had yet to be implemented in most countries. This contribution will outline the epidemiology of HPV and its link to cervical cancer, HPV virology, vaccine development, and vaccine indications and effectiveness.

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