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Afraser's avatar
Afraser
Member
4 years ago

Cervical cancer and the HPV vaccine

The HPV vaccine is leading to such dramatic reductions in cervical cancer that those who receive it may only need one smear test in their lives, according to a leading cancer prevention scientist.

The academic director of King’s Clinical Trials Unit Professor Peter Sasieni said that the screening programme – which currently needs to be performed every three to five years – could soon change due to the encouraging results from the new HPV vaccine.

He told BBC Radio 4: “This is really exciting…. (The HPV vaccine) protects against even more types of the virus, and I think with that probably one screen would be enough, maybe two, over a lifetime.”

  • ARichies's avatar
    ARichies
    Member
    3 years ago
    @Afraser Thank you. I just ahd my pap smear and discussed this with my doctor. 
  • Afraser's avatar
    Afraser
    Member
    3 years ago
    @ARichies

    Government website says:
    The decision to immunise adults aged 19 years or over depends on whether you are likely to have already been infected with HPV, and whether you are likely to be infected in the future.

    Perhaps best to consult your GP? You may also need to pay.

    Best wishes.
  • ARichies's avatar
    ARichies
    Member
    3 years ago
    Interesting @Afraser. I re a d somewhere that at 42 I might still be eligible to get the HPV vaccine. Not sure if this is right..