Thanks to new efforts to enhance the uptake of vaccines and screenings, the head of the NHS has stated that cervical cancer will be eliminated in England by 2040.
Most cases of cervical cancer occur in women less than 45 years old and can develop anywhere along the cervix.
The vaccine is currently being administered in schools, but there will be additional initiatives to boost vaccination rates, such as distributing it at libraries and sports centres and encouraging women to go in for cervical checkups.
At the NHS Providers’ conference in Liverpool, NHS England chief executive Amanda Pritchard will state that the rapid increase in screening and vaccinations will help eliminate the disease.
Around 2,700 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer in England each year and around 850 die, according to Cancer Research UK.
Human papillomavirus (HPV) infections, which can be spread through sexual contact and often go unnoticed, are the leading cause of cervical cancer.
Roughly 99.7 per cent of cervical malignancies are caused by thirteen different strains of high-risk HPV. The vaccine not only protects against cervical cancer but also against anus and genital malignancies, as well as cancers of the head and neck.
One dose of the vaccine, instead of two, is now administered to children in eighth grade instead of in the autumn. According to the most recent data from 2021 and 2022, 86.5% of female students had received the vaccine by the time they were in tenth grade. That number comes to 81.5% for boys.
Ms Pritchard will announce new plans in which healthcare workers will be assisted in identifying those who are most in need of the vaccine and in administering injections in public places such as libraries, community centres, leisure centres, and sports arenas.
Additionally, efforts will be made to ensure that individuals who fail to show up for their cervical screening appointments receive reminders. A current survey found that one-third of women declined their offer.
There will also be an expansion of pilot programmes, such as the one that lets women undertake cervical screenings at home.
Ms Pritchard said it was “truly momentous to be able to set out such an important, life-saving ambition”, adding that eliminating cervical cancer “would be an incredible achievement”.
She said: “As ever, the public can play their part by coming forward for their vaccines and screening appointments when invited – to achieve our goal of eliminating cervical cancer, we need as many people as possible to take up the offer, so please don’t delay, it could save your life.”
“To ensure everyone has equal access to these life-saving programmes, there must be targeted action to increase HPV vaccination coverage and reduce barriers to cervical screening,” Dr Julie Sharp, head of health and patient information at Cancer Research UK, commented.
The screening and immunisation campaigns must have access to adequate funding and up-to-date information technology systems to realise this goal.
It follows a plea by prominent UK cancer experts for a “fundamental reset” of cancer care in an effort to better serve patients.
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