New Study Charts Paths to End Cervical Cancer
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| AMSC faculty Abba Gumel, Institute for Physical Science and Technology, University of Maryland |
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| Ph.D. candidate in AMSC, University of Maryland |
University of Maryland researchers have developed a new mathematical model that could help guide efforts to eliminate cervical cancer, one of the most common cancers affecting women worldwide. Led by AMSC faculty Abba Gumel and AMSC Ph.D. candidate Soyoung Park, the study highlights how targeted vaccination strategies against human papillomavirus (HPV)—the primary cause of cervical cancer—can significantly reduce and potentially eliminate the disease.
Using real-world data from South Korea, the researchers tested how different vaccination strategies impact long-term outcomes. While current programs are effective at reducing cases, the study found they are not sufficient to fully eliminate HPV. However, expanding vaccine coverage—either by increasing vaccination rates among girls or including boys in immunization efforts—could achieve elimination within decades.
Beyond South Korea, the model offers a flexible framework that can be adapted globally, including in the United States. The research underscores how increasing vaccination coverage and promoting preventive measures can lead to herd immunity and dramatically reduce cancer rates. By combining mathematical modeling with public health data, the study provides a roadmap for policymakers working to end HPV-related cancers worldwide.