evidence: Certain types of HPV cause almost all cases of cervical cancer. Vaccines that protect against these HPV types can greatly reduce the risk of developing cervical cancer, as well as other cancers caused by long-lasting HPV infections. But globally, HPV vaccination rates are low, especially in countries with high rates of cervical cancer and limited health care resources. [...] "We’ve had the HPV vaccine since 2006, and we could have prevented those women from developing cervical cancer," she said. HPV vaccination can prevent infection with HPV types that cause most cervical cancers. Because HPV is transmitted sexually, vaccine programs generally aim to vaccinate girls and younger adolescents.