Recent headlines have brought welcome and encouraging news in the fight against cervical cancer. A new UK study has shown that the HPV vaccine is having an impact – not just in preventing cervical cancer, but also saving lives.

According to a study funded by Cancer Research UK, cervical cancer deaths among young women in England have dramatically decreased following the introduction of the HPV vaccination programme. Between 2020 and 2024, no women aged 20 to 24 died from cervical cancer in England– a remarkable shift from previous years when deaths in this group would have been expected.

 The findings also suggest that those vaccinated at age 12 or 13 now have a close to zero risk of death from cervical cancer before they reach 30 years old. This is a major milestone in public health—and a powerful example of how early intervention can prevent serious illness.

A significant step forward in cervical cancer prevention

The HPV (human papillomavirus) vaccine was introduced in the UK in 2008, initially for girls aged 12-13 and later extended to boys. HPV is responsible for almost all cervical cancer cases, meaning vaccination directly targets the root cause of the disease.

The HPV vaccine is expected to prevent many more cervical cancer cases and deaths as vaccinated generations grow older.

From a clinical perspective, this is a powerful reminder of what effective screening, prevention, and public health initiatives can achieve when implemented properly.

Why cervical screening remains essential

While the success of the HPV vaccine is rightly being celebrated, it is crucial that this does not lead to complacency.

Even if someone has been vaccinated, cervical screening (previously known as smear tests) should still be offered and attended.

There are several important reasons for this:

• The HPV vaccine does not protect against all high-risk types of HPV

• Cervical screening can detect early changes before cancer develops. It is not a test for cancer—it is a preventative measure that identifies potential problems early, often before any symptoms appear.

• Vaccination and screening work together, not as alternatives

A legal perspective: prevention must be supported by action

From a clinical negligence perspective, these developments highlight that prevention only works if people are properly informed, invited, and supported to access cervical screening and relevant care.

Despite the effectiveness of both vaccination and screening, uptake remains a challenge. Around one in three eligible people do not attend cervical screening appointments, meaning opportunities for early detection are being missed.

Failures in this area can have serious consequences. As a clinical negligence solicitor, we see cases where:

• Invitations for screening were missed or not followed up

• Symptoms were not investigated appropriately

• Delays in diagnosis led to avoidable harm

Early detection significantly improves outcomes, and where there is a failure to support this, there may be grounds to make a clinical negligence claim.

Madeleine Langmead, an associate in our clinical negligence team, has recently supported a woman in her early 20s who had persistent symptoms of cervical cancer, such as inter-menstrual bleeding, and was repeatedly turned away by her GP due to being too young for the NHS cervical screening programme. She was diagnosed with cervical cancer following a private appointment.

This highlights the importance of the role of the GP in appropriately responding to patients' concerns before reaching cervical screening age or between each routine screening appointment.

Empowering informed decisions

The latest research is undoubtedly positive. It shows that cervical cancer could, in time, become a largely preventable disease. NHS England has set a target to eliminate cervical cancer by 2040.

However, this progress depends on continued engagement from both the healthcare system and patients.

The key message is simple:

• If you are offered the HPV vaccine, which has proven to be highly effective it is important to consider your options and accept the vaccine if you feel it is right for you

• If you are eligible you should be invited for cervical screening, and attend even if you have been vaccinated.

Removing stigma, improving awareness, and making services accessible are all essential steps in ensuring that fewer lives are lost to cervical cancer.

Future of cervical cancer prevention

The success of the HPV vaccine is worth celebrating. The fact that cervical cancer deaths in young women have dropped to zero in recent years shows what is possible with the right interventions.

But prevention is not a single measure—it is a combination of vaccination, screening, awareness, and timely care.

It is about ensuring that every person has the opportunity to benefit from it—and that when systems fall short, those affected are properly supported.