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HPV is a common virus. It affects the skin and mucosa (the moist membrane that lines parts of the body, such as the lining of the mouth, the anus and the cervix). Some types of HPV are known to increase the risk of developing cervical cancer – these are HPV types 16 and 18.
Vaccines can help prevent infection with HPV. In time, it is hoped that at least 7 in 10 (70%) of cases of cervical cancer will be prevented. There are two vaccines currently available across the UK:
There is a nationwide programme to vaccinate all girls aged 11 to 13. But girls up to 18 can get the vaccine on the NHS. Vaccinations can also be given privately. Research is being done to see if it is beneficial to give the vaccination to boys as well.
If you already have HPV or have cell changes in the cervix (CIN), there is no evidence that the vaccination can help. Women should still attend regular cervical screening to pick up any changes that can lead to cervical cancer.
About 3,200 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 7 in 10 (70%) of the most common type of cervical cancer (squamous cell cervical cancer).
The vaccines work by preventing infection with the human papilloma virus.
The human papilloma virus (HPV) 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 mucosa is the moist membrane that lines 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. HPV types 6 and 11 affect the genital area and can cause genital warts, but they do not cause cervical cancer. These types are called low-risk HPV.
Other types of HPV are known to increase the risk of developing particular cancers. These are referred to as high-risk HPV. HPV types 16 and 18 are high-risk types. They can lead to abnormal changes in the cells of the cervix (called cervical intra-epithelial neoplasia or CIN).
CIN is not cancer, but if it is left untreated, in some women it can develop into cancer over a number of years. 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 gets 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. In England and Northern Ireland, your sample may be tested for high-risk types of HPV as part of the screening process. And in some parts of England, testing for HPV is the first test done on the cervical screening sample. This is called primary HPV testing. You can find out more about this from the NHS cervical screening programme.
Women who have one or more abnormal smear test results will be referred to a colposcopy clinic. If the abnormality is very mild, they may not be referred until they have had two or three abnormal results in a row. In the colposcopy, a nurse or doctor will look at their cervix using an instrument like a microscope (called a colposcope). During the test, the nurse or doctor can put a solution on the cervix. It makes any abnormal cells infected with HPV turn white. We have a video about colposcopy and abnormal screening results. In it, colposcopy nurse Joyce explains what a colposcopy is and what to expect if you have one.
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 is important that women are aware of the cervical screening programme. Regular cervical smear tests can pick up abnormal cell changes, which can be treated a long time before they develop into cancer.
Hear from Joyce, Nurse Colposcopist, and Kacy about what a colposcopy is and what to expect on the day.
Hear from Joyce, Nurse Colposcopist, and Kacy about what a colposcopy is and what to expect on the day.
There is a UK-wide HPV vaccination programme for girls aged 11 to 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 doctors can give (prescribe) them in this country. Gardasil can be prescribed for females between the ages of 9 to 26. Cervarix can be given to females aged 10 to 25.
The vaccines do not protect against all types of HPV. Women may be infected with more than one type, so it is not guaranteed that vaccination will prevent all cervical cancers. However, it is 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.
Since September 2012, the vaccine used in the UK’s national vaccination programme has been Gardasil.
All 11 to 13-year-old girls in the UK are now routinely offered an HPV vaccination. Schools give a letter and a permission (consent) form to parents, explaining what is involved.
Girls are offered the vaccination at this age because it is just before puberty begins. The immune system is at its strongest point and the vaccination works best when the immune system is strong.
Girls can have the HPV vaccination on the NHS up to the age of 18. If a girl is over the age of 15, she will need three doses of the vaccine. It is also possible to get the vaccines privately.
There is some research to suggest boys and men may also benefit from the vaccine. When more research has been done, a decision will be made about whether to include boys in the vaccination programme.
They are given by injection into the muscle, usually in the upper arm or thigh. Two separate doses are needed for 11 to 13 year olds. The second dose is given at least six months after the first dose and no later than two years after the first dose. If the girl is over the age of 15, she will need a third dose.
Both vaccines seem to have few side effects. The main ones include:
Other mild side effects include:
No, there is 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 have 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 more information about the cervical screening programme.
Back to Potential causes of cancer
There are lifestyle and diet changes you can make to help reduce your risk of getting cancer.
Exposure to harmful substances in the natural environment or at work may increase your risk of cancer.
People with low immunity are more likely to develop some types of cancer.
You can’t catch cancer from someone else. But some viruses may increase your risk of developing cancer.
Human papilloma virus (or HPV) is a common infection. Some types of HPV can increase the risk of developing cancer.
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