VSCases of ervical cancer soar in women in their late 20s, although the underlying virus has almost been wiped out in younger generations, according to new figures.
Health experts have said that the low use of smear tests among people aged 25 to 29 has fueled a “disturbing” increase of 54% in cases over the past decade.
They warned that although the death of television star Jade Goody in 2009 increased the number of young women seeking testing, the effect has long since passed.
The generation is the last generation that is not protected by the HPV (human papillomavirus) vaccine, which was introduced for adolescent girls in 2008.
HPV is responsible for 99% of cervical cancers, the vast majority of cases being linked to two strains. New figures, from a sample of around 600 sexually active women aged 16 to 18, who were tested in 2018, revealed no cases of either strain. This compares to rates of over 15% in these groups a decade ago.
Ministers praised the success of the program, which they said was “world-class”.
But a separate report from Cancer Research UK warns that cases of cervical cancer are skyrocketing among those in their late 20s, who grew up before the introduction of national vaccination.
More than 3,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer each year, including about 400 cases in 25 to 29 year-olds.
In this group, rates increased from 12 cases per 100,000 women in 2004 – 6 to 18.5 cases per 100,000 in 2015/17 – an increase of 54%.
Experts said the numbers reflected the low screening rates among these women, with only 61.9% of smear requests, compared to 78.4% of those in their early 50s.
The cervical screening rate increased by 70% in 2009 after the death of television star Jade Goody from the disease.
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