HPV and cancer prevention
The HPV vaccine is currently the biggest weapon the in NHS’s fight to eliminate cervical cancer by 2040. This is a realistic aim, but only if enough people are aware of the vaccine and agree to take it. The vaccine is so effective it can prevent up to 90% of HPV-related cancer diagnoses.
Want to know more about HPV and the vaccine? Watch this video:
All school children are offered the vaccine in Year 8 (aged 12 to 13). We encourage all parents to take up this free offer. But if you are a parent whose child wasn’t vaccinated at this point, don’t worry.
There is a chance to catch up with the vaccine for free up to the age of 24. And if you’re a young person who wasn’t vaccinated and you’re over 18, you can make an appointment yourself to get vaccinated.
Anyone still in school can arrange a catch-up vaccination through the school nurse. The HPV vaccination is also available through GP practices for those under 25 who did not get vaccinated through their school.
You might not have heard of the HPV virus, but currently around 80% of us are infected with HPV at some point in our lives. While the majority of these infections will go away on their own and cause no symptoms, they can lead to cancer if untreated.
HPV can cause the following cancers:
- cervical cancer
- anal cancer
- penile cancer
- vulval cancer
- vaginal cancer
- some types of head and neck cancer
It is spread through sexual contact – specifically any skin-to-skin contact of the genital area, vaginal, anal or oral sex, and sharing sex toys.
The HPV vaccine is a safe, highly effective injection that protects against infections caused by the Human Papillomavirus (HPV). It is recommended for children aged 12 to 13 and for adults up to age 25.
It is most effective when given before exposure to the virus, so it’s better to get vaccinated before you’re sexually active. However, it’s still worth getting vaccinated if you missed it as a child.
The vaccine works by stimulating antibodies, often preventing infection with high-risk HPV strains that cause roughly 9 in10 cases of cervical cancer.
Anyone who attends a cervical screening appointment will receive a free HPV test. A sample of cells is taken as part of the test and tested for HPV.
Along with the HPV vaccine, cervical screening is one of the best ways to prevent cervical cancer. All women aged 25 to 64 are invited for cervical screening every five years.
If you’re unsure about your cervical screening status and may be overdue, please check the NHS app or contact your GP to check.
