HPV vaccine could mean only one smear test needed in a lifetime

According to a leading scientist, women who have the HPV vaccine may only need one smear test to help prevent cervical cancer in their lifetime.

 

Currently, women in the UK are invited for screening every three to five years.  However, Professor Peter Sasieni, director of the clinical trials unit at King’s College London, said the vaccine was leading to such dramatic reductions in the cancer that the screening programme would soon need to change.

 

The majority of all cervical cancer cases are caused by human papillomaviruses (HPVs).  They can damage DNA and start to transform healthy cells into cancerous ones if there is a prolonged infection.  There are over one hundred types of the virus and they are so common that most people will become infected at some point during their lives.  So the NHS invites women for regular screening.

 

However, a significant shift in preventing the cancer started in the UK in 2008 with the introduction of the HPV vaccine, which is offered to girls, and boys since 2019, aged between 11 and 13.

 

Research published in December shows the vaccine is responsible for cutting cervical cancer by nearly 90 per cent for those who choose to have the jab.

 

Professor Sasieni added “There’s a new vaccine which will be used in the UK from the next school year, which protects against even more types of the virus, and I think with that probably one screen would be enough, maybe two, over a lifetime.

 

“We really want to make those changes over the next couple of years, it is  a big change (but) the vaccine has been so successful this makes perfect sense.”

 

Chadwick Lawrence’s specialist team of clinical negligence lawyers have years of experience in medical negligence claims, providing support and guidance after life-changing events.  Not only do we represent clients in Yorkshire, but because of our reputation we also represent clients nationally.

 

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Posted by Karen Motley, Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (tonymay@chadlaw.co.uk ), medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.

 

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