CERVICAL CANCER PREVENTION by VACCINE

Vaccines are available now which offer protection from the group of viruses which cause about 75% of all cases of cervical cancer.

A course of 3 vaccines over 6 months can be given to girls over the age of 9 as well as adult women. The vaccine is also licensed for use in boys over the age og 9 to prevent carriage of these viruses and genital wart infections.

The full course of these vaccines costs £400: although this can be paid at the beginning of the course, patients can also opt to pay for each vaccine as it is given (£135).

There is sound research evidence to confirm that the vaccine is most effective when given to younger people, and it should be given before the onset of sexual activity if at all possible.

The NHS has plans to begin vaccinating girls only at the age of 12 from September 2008. This is in contrast for example with the Australian healthcare system which has begun an immediate vaccination programme for both boys and girls.

Girls over 12 currently may be given vaccination by the NHS in due course but there are no plans to offer this vaccine to young people over 16 years.

Clearly some young people are going to miss out on a vaccine which might be life saving. Over 2000 women a year still die of cancer of the cervix in the UK every year.

Although this vaccine offers excellent protection, it remains important for adult
women to have smear tests. At Private GP Services we offer liquid based smear tests with results within a week.

Appointments for this breakthrough vaccine are available daily

Please telephone us on 01245 234093 for further details.