Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer of women worldwide and 70% of cases are associated with the sexually transmitted viruses HPV types 16 and 18.

There are a number of other sub types which are also high risk for the developing of cervical cancer and sub types 6 and 11 cause 90% of all genital warts.

In the UK alone there are 80,000 cases of new genital wart infection every year, although these warts are not directly linked with cancer.

There are two licensed vaccines against HPV- Cervarix which protects against HPV 16 and 18 and Gardisil which protects against 6,11,16 and 18. These vaccines cost about £250 for the course and whilst Gardisil is used by the majority of national immunisation programs, The British NHS has chosen Cervarix for a variety of reasons including proven efficacy and cost.

The vaccines are made from proteins that are present in the outer coats of the virus. When a patient has been vaccinated, the immune system is sensitised against these proteins and this results in the rapid removal of these protein coated viruses following subsequent infection. It has little effect against previous infection and therefore these vaccines offer little or no advantage for people previously exposed to the virus through sexual activity. It is for this reason that the NHS has chosen to target this expensive immunisation program at 12- 13 years olds, hopefully prior to their first sexual contact with a catch up program for 14- 18 years old over the next 2 years. The initial program is being administered at schools in Wiltshire whilst the catch up program is being administered through Gps surgeries.

The immunisations are given as a series of 3 doses over a six month period and has similar specific and non specific side effects to many of the other immunisations in common use.

Common Questions:

Q; Can I choose to have the gardisil vaccine rather than the cervarix injection?

A; The NHS is only providing the Cervarix vaccine to patients via the national program. However Gardisil is a licensed drug and therefore your doctor may be able to provide Gardisil under alternative arrangements

Q: I already have had sexual contact and therefore in theory may have already contacted HPV. Should I still have the immunisation if offered to me?

A: Having the immunisation will do no harm, even if you are already infected, although in that situation, it is also not likely to be of much benefit

Q: I am aged 20 and have not yet had any sexual contact and therefore would benefit from this vaccine. Can I have it?

A; The NHS has made no provision for girls like you but your doctor may be able to help you under alternative arrangements.

Q: I am a boy and have heard that HPV is also responsible for causing cancer of the Penis and anus. Can I have one as well please?

A: The NHS has made no provision for immunising males as this national program is about the prevention of Carcinoma of the cervix , then the prevention of other cancers, or the eradication of the virus. Your doctor may be able to make alternative arrangements to help you.

Q: Are there any other ways of protecting yourself against this virus?

A; Condoms are an effective barrier to the transmission of these viruses and other sexually transmitted diseases such as Chlamydia and herpes simplex

Q. Once I have had this vaccine, does it mean that I don’t ever need to have a smear test?

A; this vaccine is neither 100% effective and nor does it protect you against the other carcinogenic strains of HPV so the smear campaign will need to continue