Cervical Smears
Available through the NHS every three to five years between the ages of 25
and 60. We offer these for women who want more frequent screening, after
appropriate counselling.
HPV vaccination
Gardasil is the first vaccination available that protects against the HPV
infection. Certain strains of HPV cause abnormal smears and cervical cancer;
Gardasil protects against these.
What is HPV
HPV stands for Human Papillomavirus. HPV is a sexually transmitted infection,
that is responsible for most types of cervical cancer; it also causes genital
warts.
HPV infection is very common in sexually active women and up to 80% of women
will become infected during their lifetime. There are many strains of HPV, most
are harmless but a small number cause abnormal smears and cancer. Before the
development of Gardasil there was no effective way of preventing HPV infection,
apart form abstinence or condom use.
What is Gardasil?
Gardasil is a vaccine that protects women against four types of HPV strains, of
which two, types 16 and 18, are responsible for 75% of cases of cervical cancer.
Gardasil has been extensively evaluated and is 100% effective at preventing
disease caused HPV types 16 and 18, the highest risk strains. Gardasil is also
very effective at preventing genital warts.
The development of Gardasil represents a breakthrough in preventing HPV
infection but there are still unanswered questions and potential developments.
For example, although Gardasil is effective 5 years after administration we
don’t know if it confers lifelong protection or whether a booster vaccination
may be required. Currently Gardasil only covers against 4 strains of HPV, albeit
the most important ones, but future developments are likely to offer vaccines
that give even better protection.
When is Gardasil given?
Ideally Gardasil vaccination should occur before sexual activity has started,
though it will be beneficial to sexually active women provided they have not
already been exposed to the high risk strains: HPV 16 and 18.
The future looks promising and there are already vaccines being developed which
may or may not be more effective than Gardasil. The NHS is also examining the
feasibility of a national HPV vaccination programme, though when this might be
and for whom is uncertain.
How is the vaccine given?
Gardasil is given in 3 doses:
• First dose
• Second dose after 2 months
• Third dose at a further 4 month interval
Further Information
For further information about Gardasil please contact Anna Hicks on 01280 843866
for a Patient Information leaflet.
