With the introduction of cervical screening programs, the incidence and 
mortality of cervical cancer has been drastically reduced. Techniques such as 
the traditional Papanicolaou test and the newer liquid-based cytology allow for 
the early detection of cervical abnormalities prior to the development of 
invasive cervical cancer. As oncogenic human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is 
necessary for cervical cancer, HPV-DNA testing has also been proposed as a 
routine screening method for the general population. Screening limitations, such 
as adherence, test sensitivity and specificity, access, and cost-effectiveness 
are reflected in current screening guidelines. The development of prophylactic 
cervical cancer vaccines is a major milestone in cervical cancer prevention. 
These vaccines protect against the initial infection of certain oncogenic HPV 
types, and therefore prevent the development of cervical dysplasia, precancerous 
lesions, and cervical cancer. Considering routine cervical cancer vaccination in 
adolescent girls, screening guidelines must adapt in order to retain efficient 
and cost-effective prevention measures. Although the true epidemiological and 
economic impact of cervical cancer vaccines cannot be immediately realized, 
mathematical models predict various scenarios in which vaccination, in addition 
to cervical screening, will be cost-effective and further reduce cervical cancer 
disease.