Success of vaccination could see cervical cancer eliminated

The first girls to get the vaccine are now about 27. And there has been a high take up – about 90%.

The vaccine is now given to girls and boys when they are 12 or 13 – before they become sexually active and risk coming into contact with human papilloma virus, known as HPV, which causes almost all cervical cancers.

‘As time goes on this lower-risk, vaccinated group will make up an increasing proportion of women in the Guernsey and Alderney populations and the overall burden of cervical cancer will significantly reduce or, it is hoped, be eliminated altogether,’ said Medical Officer of Health Dr Nicola Brink.

Elimination of cervical cancer in the Bailiwick is Public Health’s next big goal – through vaccination and screening.

‘We have moved towards the most modern way of screening for cervical cancer, which is to move away from the old smear tests and to the detection of the virus itself, and that’s a very accurate way of looking for people that are potentially at risk of developing cancer,’ said Dr Brink.

‘We also introduced free cervical screening, again trying to take away the barriers for women accessing care. Bowel cancer and breast cancer screening was available free to users, and we wanted to bring the cervical screening programme on a par.’

The States announced yesterday that the HPV vaccine would change from two doses to one from this autumn, in line with the latest guidance from UK body which advises on vaccinations.

It will continue to be offered to children in Year 8. Anyone who has received their first dose but not their second will now be considered fully vaccinated.

Dr Brink said the World Health Organisation has a global target to achieve incidence rates of fewer than four cases per 100,000 women per year.

‘It’s called the 90, 70, 90 target – 90% of people have been fully immunised with HPV vaccine by the age of 15, 70% of people have had at least two cervical screening tests at 35 and 45, and 90% of people with either precancerous or cancerous lesions of the cervix receive appropriate treatment,’ she said.

Cervical cancer is a preventable and curable disease, if it is detected early and treated effectively.

In Guernsey and Alderney, there are on average five new cases and one or two deaths from cervical cancer each year.

Public Health is looking at how to overcome issues people might face in getting to screenings, like being unable to make appointment times, lack of transport, low awareness and fear.

Success pleases former HSC president

FORMER Health & Social Care president Deputy Heidi Soulsby has said she was pleased that barriers had been removed from cervical cancer screenings.

HSC proposed free screening appointments under her leadership in 2018 to provide a more equitable service and encourage greater attendance.

The States voted it through as part of that year’s Budget debate.

Previously, such appointments had cost up to £86 – equivalent to £104 today.

‘I’m very pleased to see how things are going, as the previous committee believed this was an important service to provide, along with free under-21 contraception which I’m delighted to see is proving to have been a great success,’ she said.

‘Prevention and early intervention are key to keeping the cost of not only health and care down, but the whole of government.

‘That’s why it is one of the key principles of the Partnership of Purpose and why insufficient investment, let alone any attempts to cut costs in such areas, would be a false economy.’

The screening procedure has remained the same – those eligible are automatically invited to contact their GP practices, Choices or the Orchard Clinic to book their appointment.