Thursday, April 30, 2015

HPV: Young women less likely to test positive for cervical cancer precursors ... - ABC Online

<div class="subcolumns"> Young Australian women are becoming less likely to test positive for precursors to cervical cancer as more receive the human papillomavirus (HPV) shots in their teens, data shows.

The latest analysis of cervical screening data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) showed high grade abnormality detection in women below the age of 24 was progressively decreasing.

The report explained high-grade cervical abnormalities were potential precursors to cervical cancer, and early detection through screening provided an opportunity for treatment before cancer could develop.

AIHW spokesperson Justin Harvey said the figures showed that over time, the HPV vaccine given to schoolgirls since 2007 would help keep Australia's cervical cancer mortality rate low.

"The detection of high grade abnormalities reached historically low rates in 2013 for women aged under 20 and for those aged 20 to 24," he said.

"This is largely due to the introduction of the HPV vaccination program in schools."

Conversely, the data showed high-grade abnormality detections were increasing over time for women in high age brackets.

Change in high-grade abnormalities detection per 1000 women Age Group2007200820092010201120122013<strong>


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