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This information is about vaccines to prevent a virus called the human papilloma virus (HPV)|, which can cause cervical cancer|. We hope it answers your questions. If you have any further questions, you can ask your doctor or nurse.
About 3,300 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer in the UK each year.
Vaccines that help prevent cervical cancer are a major step forward in women's healthcare. It is hoped that the vaccines will prevent at least 70% (7 in 10) of the most common type of cervical cancer| (squamous cell cervical cancer).
The vaccines work by preventing infection with the human papilloma virus (HPV).
The human papilloma virus is a common virus. Over 100 different types of HPV have been identified, and each is known by a number. HPV affects the skin and the mucosa (the moist membranes that line the body, for example in the mouth, throat, anus and cervix).
Some types of HPV cause harmless skin warts (papillomas) that can appear on the hands and feet. Types 6 and 11 affect the genital area and can cause genital warts, but they don't cause cervical cancer. These types are called low-risk HPV.
Other types of HPV are known to increase the risk of developing particular cancers and are referred to as high-risk HPV. Types 16 and 18 are high-risk types that can lead to abnormal changes in the cells of the cervix (known as cervical intra-epithelial neoplasia| or CIN).
CIN is not cancer, but in some women it can develop into cancer over a number of years if it's left untreated. Treatment for CIN| works very well and the risk of it coming back is low.
HPV infection of the cervix is mainly diagnosed in women as a result of the cervical screening programme|. A woman may be told she has HPV when she receives her cervical screening result. If an HPV infection is present, changes in the appearance of the cells can sometimes be seen when they are looked at under a microscope during the screening process.
Testing of cervical screening samples for high-risk types of HPV is now being introduced in some areas of the country. This means that if you live in an area where it has been introduced, your cervical screening sample may be tested to see if it contains a high-risk type of HPV. This is explained in more detail in our section on cervical screening. You can also find out from the NHS cancer screening information|.
Some women who have an abnormal smear test result will attend a colposcopy clinic, where their cervix will be examined using an instrument like a microscope (called a colposcope). During the examination, the nurse or doctor can apply a solution to the cervix that makes cells infected with HPV turn white.
Most women have HPV at some point in their lives without it causing any harm. There is no treatment for HPV, but the immune system can usually get rid of it quickly by itself.
It’s important that women are aware of the cervical screening programme. Regular cervical smear tests can pick up any abnormal cell changes, which can be treated before they develop into cancer.
Since September 2008 there has been a UK-wide HPV vaccination programme for girls aged 12-13. Two vaccines are available to prevent infection with HPV. These are called Gardasil® and Cervarix®.
Gardasil protects against four types of HPV:
Cervarix® protects against HPV types 16 and 18.
Both vaccines are licensed in the UK, which means that doctors can prescribe them in this country. Gardasil can be prescribed for women between the ages of 9-26. Cervarix can be given to women aged between 10-25.
The vaccines don’t protect against all types of HPV, and women may be infected with more than one type, so it's not guaranteed that they'll prevent all cervical cancers. It is, however, expected that vaccination will prevent most of the more serious pre-cancerous changes (CIN 2 and 3). Gardasil is also expected to prevent most genital warts.
From September 2012 the vaccine used in the national vaccination programme has been Gardasil®.
They are given by injection into the muscle, usually the upper arm or thigh. Three separate doses are needed. The second and third doses are given two months and six months after the first dose respectively.
Both vaccines appear to have few side effects. The main ones include:
Other mild effects include a slightly raised temperature, itching, a rash, dizziness, sickness, diarrhoea, a headache and muscle aches.
No, there’s no evidence that the vaccine works in anyone who already has HPV infection or abnormal cells changes in the cervix (CIN).
Women will still need to attend their routine cervical smear tests. This is because there are other types of HPV linked with cervical cancer, which the vaccines are not active against. The vaccines are not a substitute for cervical screening.
We have detailed information about the cervical screening programme in our section on cervical screening.
Whether boys should eventually be immunised as well as girls. We still don't know whether the vaccines work for men.
All 12-13 year-old girls in the UK are now routinely offered an HPV vaccination. It’s usually when they are in year 8 at school. A letter and consent form is given to parents, explaining what’s involved.
There is also a catch-up programme to vaccinate 13-18-year-old girls, which started in the autumn of 2008. It's also possible to obtain the vaccines privately.
This information has been compiled using information from a number of reliable sources, including:
Thank you to Professor David Luesley, Professor of Gynaecological Oncology, and all of the people affected by cancer who reviewed this edition. Reviewing information is just one of the ways you could help when you join our Cancer Voices| network.
For answers, support or just a chat, call the Macmillan Support Line free (Monday to Friday, 9am-8pm)
If you have any questions about cancer, need support or just want someone to talk to, ask Macmillan.