Health campaign to protect girls from cervical cancer

HEALTH chiefs in Warrington are urging parents in the town to have their daughters vaccinated against cervical cancer.
Cases of cervical cancer could be cut by nearly three-quarters in Warrington thanks to a new vaccination programme that is getting underway in October.
The HPV, or human papillomavirus, vaccine is being offered to all 12 and 13-year-old girls in school year 8 from next month.
It protects against the two types of HPV which cause more than 70% of cervical cancers. This will be an on-going programme in schools.
Also from November, girls who are currently aged 17 or 18 will be offered vaccination. If these girls are in sixth form
at school, they will be offered an appointment at school – otherwise the vaccine will be available from their GP.
From August 2009 and lasting for two years, there will also be a catch-up vaccination programme for girls aged 15 – 18 (school years 10 and 11), so that by summer 2011 all girls currently up to the age of 18 will be protected.
Parents of almost 1200 eligible girls, aged 12 and 13, in Warrington will receive information about the vaccination via
schools in the coming weeks. The vaccine will be given in three doses over six months.
“New cases of cervical cancer have been falling for years thanks to the national cervical cancer screening programme,” said Dr Rita Robertson, Director of Public Health at Warrington PCT.
“The HPV vaccination should ensure the 40 or so women who currently die each year from cervical cancer in Cheshire and Merseyside will fall significantly in the years to come.”
There are more than 100 types of HPV but only 13 of these cause cancer. The vaccination protects against types 16 and 18 which are responsible 70% of cases.
However, because it doesn’t protect against all HPV viruses it will be essential that girls, like their mothers, take part
in the NHS cervical cancer screening programme once they are old enough.
“Vaccination and clean water are the foundation stones of good public health across the world and the single most
important thing a parent can do to protect their child from ill health,” said Dr Robertson.
She added: “The HPV vaccination programme is another important step forward that will benefit the health of women in Warrington for years to come.”
Further information is available at www.immunisation.nhs.uk/Vaccines/HPV or by calling the national HPV helpline
on 0845 602 3303.