A progressive political party embraces science and uses it to improve the wellbeing of the population. So why is our Labour government prevaricating over advances that will save the lives of 1000 women a year and reduce the number undergoing serious treatment and surgery? Is it money, a lack of commitment or fear that some may object?
Cervical cancer could be eradicated in the UK by a combination of increased uptake and improvement of screening services, greater education and the implementation of a national vaccination programme. Thousands of lives will be saved and future generations of young women will not be robbed, needlessly, of their fertility.
The cause of cervical cancer is now identified as the presence of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV). HPV has more than 100 types and is so common that 70 per cent to 80 per cent of the global population will be infected at some time in their lives.
There are certain HPV types that are ‘high risk’ for the development of cervical cancer and other cancer. Specifically, HPV types 16 and 18 cause 75 per cent of cervical cancers while HPV types 6 and 11 cause 90 per cent of genital warts.
The cervical cancer charity Jo’s Trust has raised concern that there is a continuing downward trend among women (particularly those aged between 25 and 29) in regularly attending for their smear test. This reduction has been recorded for the eleventh consecutive year.
Consequently, each of these women is at risk of developing cervical cancer, which will impact tragically on some of their lives as well as affect the fertility and wellbeing of many.
In June The Lancet published research involving 20,000 women around the world which showed that vaccination of girls who have never had sex provided 99 per cent protection against cervical cancer.
However, there are still some groups that are opposed to the introduction of a vaccine on the grounds that it will encourage promiscuity and underage sexual activity. These self-styled protectors of family values seem to be living in a parallel universe where young people make decisions on sexual behaviour based on which vaccines they have been given. Such unfounded opinions clearly do not reflect the reality of young people’s lives and should play no part in progressive political discussion.
Polling has demonstrated overwhelming support for HPV vaccination, with more than 75 per cent of parents supporting its introduction.
Politicians in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have given exceptional support. The Scottish Labour party made a manifesto pledge to implement an HPV vaccination programme subject to expert approval and 10 of the 12 members of the Northern Ireland Executive have supported recent calls for action. Motions in Westminster have demonstrated high levels of support among backbenchers.
However, the silence from the Westminster government and the relevant expert committee has been deafening. Unlike in Scotland and Northern Ireland no serious expressions of support or intent has been offered – why is this?
While the experts and ministers prevaricate young women continue to be infected by HPV and develop cancer.
In France, Germany, Austria, Canada, India, Australia and parts of the US the experts have made recommendations and women are beginning to receive protection from the HPV vaccine.
The screening programme must continue for women unvaccinated – this means there will be a cost to the NHS as screening and immunisation will have to run side by side for some time. But eventually the screening programme will recognise that most women are protected by immunisation.
The incoming prime minister should demonstrate his support for women’s health immediately and act to end the complacency that exists in the Department of Health. Gordon Brown should introduce an HPV vaccination programme for 12 year old girls during the 2007/2008 school year and take action to halt the decline in women attending for screening.
Now that would be a great start to his premiership and a legacy of real and lasting value!