NEWSWEEK: Cervical Cancer: Australia Set to Wipe Out Disease in 20 Years in World First

Description

Dr. Richard Edmondson, a professor of gynecological oncology at the University of Manchester, who was not involved in the research, told Newsweek the Australian findings were "important."

"Cervical cancer is decreasing throughout the developed world as a result of both the screening and vaccination programs. This study estimates when incidence will fall below two prespecified levels–importantly this is not the same as being truly eliminated." 

Regarding the downfalls of the research, he said this forecasting study shared all the pitfalls of this type of study. "The key variable is that cervical screening may decrease or cease. In this situation, incidence levels will plateau off quickly." 

Edmondson urged women to go for cervical smear screenings, regardless of whether they had been vaccinated.