HPV Cervical Cancer Jab Could Prevent Almost 90 Deaths Every Year
How A Simple Injection Could Save The Lives Of 90 Teenage Girls
PA / The Huffington Post UK
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The lives of almost 90 teenage girls could be saved each year if nearly all teenage girls in the UK were given the HPV jab, which prevents cervical cancer.
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The UK-based vaccination programme, which launched in 2008, targets teenage girls aged 12-13.
Experts have said that if 96% of girls decided to have the vaccine, which protects against the human papilloma virus, then 198 cervical cancer cases and 87 deaths could be prevented every year.
The figures from researchers at GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), which are being presented to Public Health England's annual conference in Warwick, show that the national uptake of the vaccine stands at around 86%.
But there are wide regional variations of uptake with just 62% of girls in some areas receiving the jab and 96% of girls being vaccinated in others.
Experts at the drug company said that if uptake across the whole of England matched the best regions then 2,528 cases of pre-cancerous cells that need treatment could be prevented, as well as the cases of cervical cancer and the deaths from the disease.
Dr Michael England, medical director for vaccines at GSK, said: "These figures make it clear that, even though we have relatively high uptake of the HPV vaccine, we could make a dramatic difference by making simple improvements to the programme.
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10 Cervical Cancer Facts
Check Your Body (01 of10)
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You know your body best. If you notice any unusual changes like abnormal bleeding from your vagina, pain in your pelvis or lower back, or pain during sexual intercourse, don't ignore it. Make some time to talk to your doctor. (credit:Shutterstock)
Make Healthy Lifestyle Choices (02 of10)
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Eat a balanced diet and try not to smoke. Smoking and exposure to second-hand smoke have both been linked to cervical cancer. If you smoke, reducing your risk of cervical cancer is yet another reason to quit. (credit:Shutterstock)
When Should You Have A Pap Test? (03 of10)
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You should have a Pap test within three years of becoming sexually active, or by the age of 21. If you are currently not sexually active or have not been sexually active in years, experts suggest still getting the test. (credit:Shutterstock)
Pap Tests Should Happen 1-3 Years (04 of10)
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You should have a Pap test performed every one to three years depending on previous results. If you have trouble remembering, there are a number of calender apps you can sign up for. (credit:Shutterstock)
Take The Test At The Right Time (05 of10)
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Doctors recommend you have the Pap test in the middle part of your menstrual cycle — that means between 10 to 20 days after the first day of your period. (credit:Shutterstock)
Don't Do It Before The Test (06 of10)
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Don’t have sexual intercourse 24 hours before the test, as this can affect your results. (credit:Shutterstock)
What About Hysterectomies?(07 of10)
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If you've had a hysterectomy (surgical removal of the uterus), you may still need a Pap test. Talk to your doctor for more information. (credit:Shutterstock)
Practice Safe Sex...All The Time (08 of10)
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The biggest risk factor for developing cervical cancer is an infection of the cervix with human papillomavirus (HPV), a sexually transmitted virus. HPV infections are quite common and most go away on their own, but some don’t. These are the infections that can lead to cancer if they aren't caught by Pap tests and treated early. (credit:Shutterstock)
Get The Vaccine (09 of10)
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Get vaccinated against HPV. The HPV vaccine can help reduce the risk of cervical cancer, as well as vulvar, vaginal and anal cancer. (credit:Shutterstock)
Know Your Medical History (10 of10)
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Know your medical history as well as your family history, especially if anyone in your family has had cancer. However, cancer can affect anyone at any stage of life, so give yourself the best chance for survival by getting it diagnosed early. (credit:Shutterstock)
"Treatment for cervical cancer and pre-cancerous lesions can be traumatic and have long-lasting effects among women affected by the disease, who are often relatively young.
"By focusing on reducing regional variation and increasing uptake across the country within the existing programme, we have the potential to save even more lives and prevent women from undergoing treatment for what is now largely a preventable disease."