Every year in the UK around 3,000 women will be diagnosed with cervical cancer and over 1,100 women will die from the disease. After breast cancer, cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in women aged 35 and under. In addition to those that die many thousands of women will undergo surgical treatment that can have a major impact on their lives.
99.7 per cent of cases of cervical cancer are caused by persistent infection with a virus called Human Papillomavirus (HPV). HPV is a very common virus present in some 80 per cent of the population and is transmitted through skin to skin contact in the genital area with types 16 and 18 present in the majority of cervical cancers. The recent launch of a new vaccination programme that prevents against these two strains could reduce the numbers of cases of cervical cancer by up to 70 per cent.
Last week a Catholic school in Manchester, St Monica’s High School, took the decision to stop the administration of the HPV vaccine within the school. This was despite the Roman Catholic Church saying there is nothing wrong with allowing the vaccinations to be given. Indeed three other Catholic secondary schools in the area have said they will all be offering pupils vaccinations. In a letter to parents they explained that they questioned the effectiveness of the injections and pointed out the possible side effects.
I am the Director of Jo’s Trust, I am not a doctor or scientist, and it is not the role of the charity to promote a specific vaccine or drug. We exist to support those who have been affected by cervical cancer and support ways to prevent it. It is the UK and European authorities who have assessed the new vaccine and given the OK for its use. Justin McCracken, Chief Executive of the Health Protection Agency has said the vaccine is “safe, proven and effective against 70 per cent of cervical cancer”. Of course there may be a chance that some girls may suffer some side effects but the obvious benefits must outweigh these risks.
This vaccination programme will prevent a significant number of cancer cases, thus saving lives and reducing suffering. I only joined Jo’s Trust as its Director 10 days ago and already I have seen the terrible impact this disease can have after the deaths of young women who use our online forum. The vaccine has come too late for them. Had it not, perhaps they would still be here watching their children grow up.
St Monica’s decision raises many concerns especially if other schools follow their lead. However I believe St Monica’s will be an isolated case and the majority of schools will not assume to have greater medical and scientific knowledge than the regulatory authorities and expert advisory groups. We live in a democratic society and taking part in the programme is about choices. Parents and their daughters need to have all the opportunities and information available to make those choices. It is not the job of school governors or anyone else to restrict those choices.
Jo’s Trust is committed to projects that can see this terrible disease reduced. Smear testing has saved thousands of lives and it is essential women continue to accept their invitation to attend testing. The addition of the vaccination programme for 12 and 13 year olds and the catch up programme to vaccinate 17 and 18 year olds will quite simply save more lives and reduce suffering.
If you would like to know more about the support provided by Jo’s Trust please visit www.jotrust.co.uk