Recently, vaccines have been developed to prevent HPV infection. From September 2008, GPs now offer this vaccine to all 12 year old girls in the UK. From September 2009, 14-18 year old girls will also be included in the programme.
Women over 18 are not included in the NHS programme but can benefit from the vaccination. Gynaechoice is able to offer Gardasil vaccination now at a fixed cost of £438 for the three vaccinations.
The course of three vaccinations is given over a six-month period. HPV vaccines have been tested in many thousands of women and have been shown to be very safe and effective, with few side effects. Some patients get a little redness at the injection site but this quickly goes away.
The vaccination is given by one of our Consultant Gynaecologists giving you the opportunity to discuss sexual health issues, cervical cancer and screening.
Although smear tests and colposcopy treatments have been very successful in reducing the number of cervical cancer cases caused by HPV infection we still see over 3000 cases of cervical cancer every year in the UK. Cervical cancer remains the second most common cancer in women under the age of 45 and three women die of it every day in the UK.
Vaccination against HPV will prevent infection with the virus and therefore prevent the changes HPV causes which lead to cervical cancer.
The vaccines are very effective and will prevent over 70% of all cervical cancer. This is a very big advance, but HPV vaccines will not prevent all cases of cervical cancer so it is still essential to continue with cervical smear tests after vaccination.
No.
Condoms offer limited protection against HPV because the skin around the genital area can also carry the virus and a condom will not cover this area.
Yes.
Some HPV types cause genital warts and vaccination against HPV can prevent these.
VIN is a precancerous change in the skin of the vulva (similar to the precancerous change on the cervix that smear tests are used to detect). VIN can progress to vulval skin cancer.
Most (80%) VIN is caused by HPV infection.
HPV vaccination can prevent VIN.
VAIN is a precancerous change in the skin of the vagina. VAIN can progress to vaginal cancer.
HPV vaccination can prevent VAIN.
Ideally HPV vaccination will be done before a woman is ever exposed to HPV infection, so young women before any sexual activity will benefit the most.
However, previous exposure to HPV infection does not always provide enough immunity to prevent another infection so vaccination can be valuable for women of any age.
Undoubtedly the major benefits of HPV vaccination are for girls but there are also significant advantages for boys, who should be vaccinated if possible. The vaccination for boys will not be offered on the NHS.
Vaccination against the HPV virus will stop the virus causing the changes that can develop into cancer in the majority of cases.
Regular testing is the best way of detecting abnormal cells on the cervix, which may be the early signs of cancer. When these cells are found, treatment can be given before cervical cancer develops. As HPV vaccination is not 100% effective in preventing cervical cancer it is still vital to continue with smear tests.
Smoking cigarettes is a major risk factor for developing cervical cancer and you should try and stop.
Gynaechoice encourage you to contact us for an appointment to discuss cervical screening, colposcopy, HPV vaccination or questions about any of the above issues. This will give you the opportunity to address your queries and concerns and decide on the best option for you.
Refer to www.BSCCP.org.uk for further information.
