TEENAGE girls are to be given protection against a strain of cervical cancer. From September, all Year 8 girls in Guernsey aged 12 and 13 will be given a course of three injections over six months to guard against the human papilloma virus.
Most cervical cancers are caused by long-standing infection by certain strains of HPV.
It is believed that the virus is spread exclusively through sexual contact. Although cervical smears offer earlier detection and treatment, the new vaccine can prevent infection altogether.
Director of public health Dr David Jeffs said the treatment would initially be offered to Year 8 girls only, but as more becomes available, it will be offered to all up to the age of 18.
‘Although the vaccine is most effective if given before girls become sexually active, because more than one strain of HPV may lead to cancer there are also benefits in offering it to older girls,’ said Dr Jeffs.
‘However, I would wish to reassure parents that this is not encouragement of promiscuity. Girls and their parents will have the opportunity to discuss the benefits of the programme with their school nurse and to opt out if they have sincere reasons for wishing to do so.
‘Cervical cancer can be a very distressing condition and may on occasions even be fatal.’
The UK Department of Health has confirmed that an HPV vaccination programme for all girls in Year 8 will start there in the autumn.
Additional funding from Treasury and Resources means Guernsey can now offer a similar service.
Dr Jeffs said the programme would require a degree of coordination.
‘We have already had a series of meetings between primary care, the hospital pharmacy, which will order and store the vaccine, staff at Lukis House, who will send out the invitations and consent forms, and the school nurses, who will actually administer the vaccine, and of course we need to choose our timing to fit in with schools,’ he said.
‘School nurses will administer school leavers’ vaccinations during the summer term.
‘We also need to ensure we have sufficient refrigeration to keep the supplies in optimum condition and cool boxes for transport.
‘We have therefore decided on a start date at the beginning of the autumn term.
‘This will be in line with England and we will also benefit from a proposed national TV awareness campaign which will be starting around that time.
‘The prospect of preventing the problem entirely is indeed a big step forward.’
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