New national data shows cervical cancer rates are declining among those who receive the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, a finding reflected in Texas numbers as well.
A new study published in Journal of the National Cancer Institute (JNCI) found cervical cancer incidence rates dropped 27% nationally among women age 20-31 between what researchers defined as the pre-vaccination era (2000-05) and the vaccination era (2016-21). The HPV vaccine was made available in the U.S. in 2006.
In Texas, during that same timeframe, cervical cancer incidence rates fell by 17%, putting the state among 28 the national report identified as achieving statistically significant reductions of 15% to 50%.
The common thread among these top performers? Higher HPV vaccination coverage. JNCI researchers found that every double-digit percentage increase in vaccination rates was associated with an 11.5% reduction in cervical cancer incidence.
A national survey cited by the researchers found that HPV vaccine initiation was nine times higher among patients who received high-quality physician recommendations.
Morvarid Rezaie, DO, co-chair of TMA’s Committee on Cancer, has a prescription for the Texas physician community that is similar and straightforward: “Just keep promoting prevention and screening. Continuing that message is important.”
The stakes are high, she adds. “It's really a devastating disease at that point, when it spreads beyond the cervix. The treatment for it causes so much morbidity, and it's really tough on the patients who are going through that,” said Dr. Rezaie, a palliative care physician working with an oncology practice serving North Texas patients.
Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) data shows that from 2012-24, cervical cancer rates declined by 13.3% in Texas among women ages 20-24, but the state also faces stark health disparities. Hispanic women in Texas had the highest cervical cancer incidence rate from 2017-21 – 12 cases per 100,000 – compared with all other racial and ethnic groups. Non-Hispanic Black women had the highest mortality rate at 3.5 deaths per 100,000.
In addition to cervical cancer, HPV can cause five other types of cancer, with the anus and rectum being the most common sites. Females can develop cancer in the cervix, males in the neck and throat. From 2018-2022, there were nearly 20,000 cases of HPV-associated cancer diagnosed in Texas, according to DSHS data.
HPV vaccination is recommended for everyone ages 11-12 but can be started at age 9. In 2021, 71.3% of Texans ages 13-17 received at least one dose of the HPV vaccine and 61.7% were considered up-to-date, per DSHS.
A 2024 JAMA Network Open study examining HPV-related cancers across Texas counties found that North Texas had lower vaccination coverage than other parts of the state – and higher rates of HPV-related cancers.
TMA Foundation grants for the Vaccines Defend What Matters program can help offset the cost of offering low- to no-cost HPV vaccines. The second round of grants for 2026 is currently open through May 22.
Visit the HPV Resource Center on TMA’s website for recent HPV-related publications, information about how to talk with patients and a FAQ section for common questions.