Rung 5 · Established
HPV vaccination
Vaccination before 17 cut invasive cervical cancer by about 88%.
PreventionWith your doctor
What studies found
In 1.7 million Swedish women, those vaccinated before 17 had an 88% lower rate of invasive cervical cancer; those vaccinated at 17–30 had about half the risk. An 18-year follow-up found no sign that protection wanes.
The catch
Works best before HPV exposure. Vaccinated women still need cervical screening.
What to do
Vaccinate pre-teens and teens of any sex; ask your doctor about catch-up eligibility for adults.
Sources
Rung 5 of 5, Established: Large randomized trials or overwhelming, consistent human evidence; reflected in major guidelines. How we score
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Every option we rated, or follow one cancer step by step: breast cancer, colorectal cancer, lung cancer and prostate cancer.