The recent media spotlight on Jade Goody’s battle with cervical cancer has highlighted the importance of regular cervical screening as a means of preventing cervical cancer, through the detection of pre-cancer abnormalities, which, if left untreated, may develop into cancer.
The increased uptake of cervical screening among women since the introduction of the NHS Cancer Screening programme in 1988 has resulted in a reduction of the cervical cancer rate. Such a change is not observed in communities with no National Screening Programme. This is testimony to the success of preventive medicine and women are encouraged to attend when invited, to keep to their periodic appointments and to ensure that arrangements are made to be screened.
A known factor for the development of cervical cancer in women is the presence of the human papillomavirus (HPV), a virus found in the genital tract of most men and women who are sexually active. There are over 40 different types of genital HPV and the more aggressive strains can cause cancer in men and women. In the majority of cases, the individual’s own immune system clears the infection within two years.
The HPV vaccine has been found to be an extremely effective in protecting against specific premalignant disease of the cervix. Research evidence shows the population can be protected from some types of HPV through vaccination. Current evidence suggests that baseline immunity is maintained at five years and the best time for inoculation is before an individual is sexually active.
The HPV vaccination programme for girls between 12 – 13 years old started in September 2008 with a catch-up programme for girls up to 18 commencing later in autumn 2009.
The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) strongly encourages that parents and girls who are of age take up the offer of the HPV vaccine to reduce morbidity and mortality from this preventable cancer. For women between the age of 25 to 65 we would encourage all women to report for cervical cytology screening when requested.
Notes
For more information about the NHS Cervical Cancer Screening Programme, please click here.
For more information about the HPV vaccination programme, please visit the NHS Choices website here
Relevant RCOG documents:
RCOG Scientific Advisory Committee Opinion Paper No. 7 Progress in cervical screening (January 2006)
RCOG Scientific Advisory Committee Opinion Paper No. 9 Vaccination against Cervical Cancer (February 2007)