THE government has announced that girls aged 12 will be offered vaccination against the human papillomavirus (HPV) – the virus which causes the majority of cervical cancers.
Each year, there are about 2,700 new cases of cervical cancer in the UK,
just 1 per cent of new cancer cases diagnosed.
Although there is a higher chance of developing cervical cancer later in life, it is the second most common cancer in women under the age of 35.
Studies suggest that the vaccine can prevent the majority of cervical cancers.
Our own research indicates that most mothers with teenage daughters are in favour of the vaccine. Although mothers do have concerns over any potential side effects, only a minority are concerned that the vaccine might encourage promiscuity.
Our study revealed that most mums voted for girls to be vaccinated at 12. But some feared an injection that prevents cancer developing from the HPV could have unpleasant side effects. Only a minority feared that it might encourage promiscuous behaviour. Most mothers (80 per cent) agreed that the appropriate age for vaccination was between ten and 14. And 75 per cent of mothers said they would probably or definitely accept the HPV vaccine for their daughter.
Potential side effects were a worry for 65 per cent of mothers. Only 12 per cent thought it would make girls more likely to have sex.
It's important to remember that cervical cancer rates are already low in the UK, thanks to the success of the screening programme.
No
DR PETRA BOYNTON
PsychologistWHILE I welcome any efforts to protect the sexual health of young people, it's worrying that the government committee and the wider media appear to have overlooked the wider scientific debate about this vaccine, as well as the political issues it raises. Debates have raged within the US about the ethics of compulsory vaccination, the use of girls as the recipients of the vaccine and whether the programme could be one big drug trial. Parents have raised worries about the effect on the health of their children as well as whether the availability of the vaccine could encourage sexual activity or put girls in an increasingly vulnerable position.
Although cervical cancer is a terrible disease and many women are affected, there are suggestions that a vaccine alone isn't going to help. Although it may prevent girls getting HPV and, therefore, risk developing cervical cancer, there are suggestions that the availability of a vaccine could lead to young people having unprotected sex, believing the vaccine is keeping them "safe".
We need to address peer pressure, gender inequalities and coercion. We also need to let young people know what sexual health services are available to them at youth-friendly times – and for that we need services that are well staffed and open – which, again, is a problem due to our chronic underspending on sexual health.
We have to wonder why in the UK there's enthusiasm for a highly expensive vaccine whose long-term effects are unknown but little effort made to fund sexual health services or make school sex education compulsory for all.
The full article contains 539 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
