The NHS has made a “truly momentous” pledge to eliminate cervical cancer in England by 2040.
NHS chief executive Amanda Pritchard will outline how the health service can eliminate the Human Papillomavirus (HPV), which causes up to 99% of cervical cancers.
Around 2,700 women a year are diagnosed with cervical cancer in England.
Ms Pritchard will tell the NHS Providers’ annual conference today: “It is truly momentous to be able to set out such an important, life-saving ambition today – to eliminate cervical cancer would be an incredible achievement.
“Through a combination of our HPV vaccination programme and our highly-effective cervical screening programme, it could become a reality in the next two decades.”
The health service recently updated its HPV vaccination to a single dose, instead of two, which is now being offered to those in year eight (aged 12 or 13) via schools.
Anyone eligible has until their 25th birthday to receive the jab via their GP practice and a new drive will build on the COVID-19 jab programme, allowing parents to see their children’s vaccination status and book appointments on the NHS app.
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More people than ever are being invited for cervical screening, which uses a highly effective test to check for high-risk HPV that may cause the development of abnormal cells that can turn into cancer if left untreated.
Ms Pritchard will call for the public to “play their part” by coming forward when contacted about vaccines and screenings – as a third of women invited for cervical screenings currently do not book appointments.
Professor Peter Johnson, NHS England’s national clinical director for cancer, said: “Cervical cancer often causes no symptoms during the early stages of the disease, so it is especially important that people attend their tests when in invited by the NHS.”
HPV jabs will also prevent other cancers, say charity
The pledge has been praised by charities with a Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust spokesperson saying: “We’re really pleased […] The HPV vaccination programme is incredibly successful and has already led to an 87% decrease in cervical cancer incidence in women in their 20s.”
While Cancer Research UK “support” the plan, their head of health and patient information, Dr Julie Sharp, has warned that “this ambition will only be possible if the vaccination and screening programmes are backed by sufficient resource and modern IT infrastructure”.
Cancer52 CEO Jane Lyons noted that the pledge could also reduce the case numbers for other types of cancer.
She said: “Vaccinating against HPV is vital in preventing not only almost all cervical cancers but in the prevention of other rare and less common cancers, such as mouth and throat cancer.”
Sarah Carter is a health and wellness expert residing in the UK. With a background in healthcare, she offers evidence-based advice on fitness, nutrition, and mental well-being, promoting healthier living for readers.
