A team of scientists from Sweden and Finland has identified a promising approach to reducing cervical cancer risk in women. The research was published in the journal Cell Host and Microbe.
Human papillomavirus (HPV) encompasses more than 200 types. While many HPV strains are harmless, certain types are linked to cancers, with cervical cancer being the most common among them.
New findings emphasize that protecting population health requires vaccinating both girls and boys against HPV. The Finnish experience shows that extending vaccination to both sexes yields stronger community protection and better health outcomes than female-only programs.
In the study, researchers selected 33 cities in Finland to compare different vaccination strategies: some implemented gender-neutral vaccination, some vaccinated only girls, and some did not vaccinate at all. After eight years of observation, the prevalence of the cancer-associated HPV types declined markedly in communities with high vaccination coverage, regardless of gender focus, highlighting the potential for broader protection through gender-neutral programs.
Lead author Ville Pimenov noted that achieving similar population-level protection through vaccinating only girls would require roughly two decades, whereas expanding coverage to include boys shortens the timeline significantly, delivering meaningful impact in about eight years in settings with moderate gender-neutral uptake. These findings align with goals in North America where expanding HPV vaccination to all genders is supported by health authorities [Citation: Cell Host Microbe study].
The study also observed that the HPV types most strongly linked to cancer were suppressed by vaccination but that non-cancer-associated HPV types could become more common in the short term. This natural type replacement did not undermine the overall benefit detected in vaccinated communities and underscores the importance of continued vaccination and monitoring. In practical terms, this means that vaccination not only reduces the risk of cervical cancer but also helps curtail other HPV-related diseases [Citation: Cell Host Microbe study].
In a broader public health context, clinicians and researchers emphasize that prevention through vaccination complements other preventive measures, including regular screening and education on sexual health. The Finnish results contribute to ongoing discussions in Canada and the United States about policies that promote gender-neutral vaccination as a standard approach to HPV prevention. The evidence supports vaccination as a cornerstone of cancer prevention strategy, with the potential to save lives by lowering cancer-causing HPV infections across regions with varied health systems.
In summary, the Finnish experience demonstrates that extending HPV vaccination to both sexes can accelerate the decline of high-risk HPV types and reduce cervical cancer risk more quickly than female-only programs. The findings reinforce public health recommendations in North America and elsewhere that broad, inclusive vaccination programs offer the strongest protection for communities over time.
[Citation: Cell Host Microbe study]