Comments on: The cervical cancer vaccine has arrived http://scienceblog.cancerresearchuk.org/2008/09/03/the-cervical-cancer-vaccine-has-arrived/ The latest news, views and opinions from Cancer Research UK Wed, 25 Nov 2009 10:33:50 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Kat http://scienceblog.cancerresearchuk.org/2008/09/03/the-cervical-cancer-vaccine-has-arrived/#comment-830 Kat Mon, 17 Nov 2008 10:45:47 +0000 http://cancerresearchuk.wordpress.com/?p=382#comment-830 Hi Karen, There's lots more information about the vaccination programme on the NHS website here: http://www.immunisation.nhs.uk/Vaccines/HPV They provide a downloadable pdf showing when older girls will get the vaccination as part of the "catch up" programme over the next couple of years: http://www.immunisation.nhs.uk/files/HPV_schedule_v2.pdf And finally, it's still important to stress that the best way to prevent cervical cancer is to go for screening when invited, from the age of 25 onwards. Kat Hi Karen,

There’s lots more information about the vaccination programme on the NHS website here:
http://www.immunisation.nhs.uk/Vaccines/HPV
They provide a downloadable pdf showing when older girls will get the vaccination as part of the “catch up” programme over the next couple of years:
http://www.immunisation.nhs.uk/files/HPV_schedule_v2.pdf

And finally, it’s still important to stress that the best way to prevent cervical cancer is to go for screening when invited, from the age of 25 onwards.

Kat

]]> By: Karen Wait http://scienceblog.cancerresearchuk.org/2008/09/03/the-cervical-cancer-vaccine-has-arrived/#comment-825 Karen Wait Fri, 14 Nov 2008 17:09:21 +0000 http://cancerresearchuk.wordpress.com/?p=382#comment-825 Please can you tell me what happens to our daughters who are 13 and above? Will they have an opportunity to have the vaccine or is it thought that they do not need it? Please can you tell me what happens to our daughters who are 13 and above? Will they have an opportunity to have the vaccine or is it thought that they do not need it?

]]> By: Jean Slocombe http://scienceblog.cancerresearchuk.org/2008/09/03/the-cervical-cancer-vaccine-has-arrived/#comment-722 Jean Slocombe Wed, 15 Oct 2008 17:24:24 +0000 http://cancerresearchuk.wordpress.com/?p=382#comment-722 Hi Karen You probably know that the vaccine being offered as part of the NHS Immunisations Programme is called Cervarix. It protects against two high risk strains of HPV (16 and 18). These strains are thought to cause about 70% of cancers of the cervix. Once a woman becomes sexually active, she is at risk of coming into contact with HPV. So the NHS programme aims to vaccinate girls before they become sexually active to get the best protection. Studies have shown that in women who have not been previously exposed to HPV 16 and 18, Cervarix gives almost 100% protection against these two strains. From following women up in studies after having Cervarix, doctors now know that it offers protection for at least six and a half years. They can measure the levels of antibodies produced by the immune system in response to the vaccine. As these levels have so far remained high, doctors are optimistic that the vaccine will continue to offer protection for many years. They do not know yet if a booster vaccine will be needed in the future to maintain the high levels. So it is possible that the Cervarix vaccine will offer young girls protection for many years to come. I hope this answers your question. Thanks Jean Slocombe Senior Cancer Information Nurse Cancer Research UK Hi Karen

You probably know that the vaccine being offered as part of the NHS Immunisations Programme is called Cervarix. It protects against two high risk strains of HPV (16 and 18). These strains are thought to cause about 70% of cancers of the cervix.

Once a woman becomes sexually active, she is at risk of coming into contact with HPV. So the NHS programme aims to vaccinate girls before they become sexually active to get the best protection. Studies have shown that in women who have not been previously exposed to HPV 16 and 18, Cervarix gives almost 100% protection against these two strains.

From following women up in studies after having Cervarix, doctors now know that it offers protection for at least six and a half years. They can measure the levels of antibodies produced by the immune system in response to the vaccine. As these levels have so far remained high, doctors are optimistic that the vaccine will continue to offer protection for many years. They do not know yet if a booster vaccine will be needed in the future to maintain the high levels. So it is possible that the Cervarix vaccine will offer young girls protection for many years to come.

I hope this answers your question.

Thanks

Jean Slocombe
Senior Cancer Information Nurse
Cancer Research UK

]]> By: Karen Neale http://scienceblog.cancerresearchuk.org/2008/09/03/the-cervical-cancer-vaccine-has-arrived/#comment-720 Karen Neale Tue, 14 Oct 2008 20:11:47 +0000 http://cancerresearchuk.wordpress.com/?p=382#comment-720 Kat It is possible to tell how long the vaccine offered through schools will protect for. My daughter is 12 years and I have read (and heard from other parents) that the vaccine will only be effective for about 5 years. If this is the case, it seems pointless and we would rather wait until she is older to have the vaccine. I would be grateful for your comments. Regards Karen Neale Kat
It is possible to tell how long the vaccine offered through schools will protect for. My daughter is 12 years and I have read (and heard from other parents) that the vaccine will only be effective for about 5 years. If this is the case, it seems pointless and we would rather wait until she is older to have the vaccine. I would be grateful for your comments.

Regards

Karen Neale

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