Latest news with #SharifIsmail
Scottish Sun
7 hours ago
- Health
- Scottish Sun
Women at risk of ‘preventable' cancer due to ‘alarmingly' low uptake of ‘life-saving' jab, health chiefs warn
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) YOUNG women are at higher risk of a "preventable" cancer due to "alarmingly" low uptake of life-saving NHS jabs, health chiefs have warned. Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines are dished out to 12 and 13-year-olds and offer protection against cancer-causing strains of the virus. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Low uptake oh HPV vaccines in certain parts of the country leaves young women vulnerable to cancer Credit: AP But low uptake of jabs in certain parts of England is leaving young women vulnerable to cervical cancer and other forms of the disease caused by HPV. HPV is a common virus that's spread through skin contact, usually during sex. Most strains are harmless but some high-risk ones can increase people's chances of developing cervical cancer, as well as mouth, anal, penile, vulval and vaginal cancer. Around 13 high-risk types of HPV are known to cause 99.7 per cent of cervical cancers. Health bosses have made it their mission to eliminate cervical cancer in England by 2040. But despite efforts to increase vaccine uptake in teens, the latest data published by the UK Health Security Agency (HPV) shows gaps in coverage in certain parts of the country, leaving young women in these areas at higher risk of HPV-related cancer. The data on HPV coverage in teens for 2023/24 showed that only 64.9 per cent of Year 10 female students in London had received their jabs. Coverage was also low for boys of the same age in the capital, with only 59 per cent taking up the offer for an HPV vaccine. Meanwhile, HPV coverage was highest in the South East for both genders - where 82.7 per cent of girls and 77.3 per cent of boys had gotten vaccinated by Year 10. At local authority level, Year 10 vaccination levels in girls ranged from 38.7 per cent in Lambeth, South London, to 97.6 per cent in Northumberland. Cervical cancer could be eradicated as HPV vaccine slashes 90% of cases For boys, it ranged from 28.2 per cent in Lambeth to 92.2 per cent in West Berkshire. Cervical cancer rates are already 65 per cent higher in England's most deprived areas compared with the least, according to figures from Cancer Research UK. Dr Sharif Ismail, consultant epidemiologist at UKHSA, said: "The HPV vaccine, now just a single dose offered in schools, is one of the most powerful tools we have for cancer prevention. "Every vaccination represents a young person with better protection against the devastating impact of HPV-related cancers and we must do more to ensure that no teenage girl or boy, young woman or man is denied that protection no matter where they live. "Although we have seen some increase in the number of young people being vaccinated, uptake is still well below pre-Covid pandemic levels "Over a quarter of young people - many thousands - are missing out on this potentially life-saving vaccine." The HPV jab is given to boys and girls when they are in Year 8, though some children receive it in Year 9. It delivers a significantly stronger immune response if given before the age of 16, though getting it when older as part of a catch-up programme still creates a strong response. 2 Anyone who missed their HPV vaccination, now just a single jab, can still receive it for free until their 25th birthday through their GP surgery. Up until recently, the HPV jab was only offered to girls. But boys also have an important role to play in helping eliminate cervical cancer by being vaccinated and not passing on the HPV virus when they become sexually active, UKHSA said. Jabs were rolled out to teenage boys in 2019. 'Beat cancer for everyone' Dr Ismail said: "We're calling on all parents to return their children's HPV vaccination consent forms promptly. "This simple action could protect your child from developing cancer in the future." Dr Ismail said any young adult up to age 25 who missed their school jab can speak to their GP about catch-up options. He also urged women to still attend cervical screening to ensure they are being checked for changes that could lead to cervical cancer. "Even if you've had the HPV vaccine, it's vital you still attend your cervical screening appointments when invited," Dr Ismail said. "Both vaccination and screening together give you your best chance of protection against cervical cancer. "Screening can detect abnormal cells before they develop into cancer, allowing for early treatment and prevention." It comes after UKHSA warned earlier this year that over a quarter of schoolkids hadn't had their HPV jab. Cancer Research UK chief executive Michelle Mitchell said: "Thanks to the power of research and the efforts of NHS staff, a future where almost nobody gets cervical cancer is in sight. "This progress hinges on people's access to two life-saving offers - HPV vaccination and screening. Together, they give the best protection against the disease. "Beating cervical cancer means beating it for everyone, so I encourage all parents and guardians to ensure young people don't miss out on getting the HPV vaccine. "And if you receive your cervical screening invite, don't ignore it." Dr Amanda Doyle OBE, national director for primary care and community services at NHS England, said: "The NHS HPV vaccination programme has already helped save thousands of lives and we need to go further to boost uptake of HPV vaccines and cervical screening to help eliminate cervical cancer in England by 2040. "If we can ensure that almost every Year 10 girl in some areas is protected and extremely unlikely to ever develop cervical cancer, we need to match this in every part of the country. "It's vital for boys and young men to be vaccinated too. Rates in boys still lag behind girls and HPV causes thousands of cancers in men as well as things like genital warts."
Daily Mirror
11 hours ago
- Health
- Daily Mirror
New 'get vaccinated' plea as fewer people have cancer-preventing jab
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has warned that variations in geographical coverage of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine in adolescents across England is leaving young women in some areas with less protection against cervical and some other cancers As Cervical Cancer Screening Awareness week kicks off, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued a warning that disparities in the geographical coverage of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine among adolescents across England are leaving young women in certain areas with less protection against cervical and some other cancers. Despite the potential to eradicate cervical cancer, the most recent UKHSA HPV coverage data for adolescents in 2023-24 reveals inequalities in vaccination uptake across different regions and areas of the country: Studies have demonstrated that receiving the HPV vaccine before the age of 16 results in significantly stronger immune responses and greater protection against HPV-related cancers. While early vaccination is ideal, receiving an HPV vaccination later as part of the catch-up programme still offers robust protection against HPV-related cancers. For those who missed their school HPV vaccinations in year 8 and 9, catch-up options remain available and are highly effective. Anyone who missed their HPV vaccination, now just a single jab, can still receive it for free until their 25th birthday through their GP surgery; this also applies to boys born after September 1, 2006. HPV vaccinations are now also extended to boys in UK schools during years 8 and 9, aimed at safeguarding them from HPV infection and its associated health issues such as genital warts, head and neck cancers (which include mouth and throat), along with genital cancers. Moreover, by getting vaccinated, boys can play a pivotal part in the eradication of cervical cancer by preventing the spread of HPV when they become sexually active. Dr Sharif Ismail, consultant epidemiologist at UKHSA, emphasised the importance of the vaccine: "The HPV vaccine, now just a single dose offered in schools, is one of the most powerful tools we have for cancer prevention. Every vaccination represents a young person with better protection against the devastating impact of HPV-related cancers and we must do more to ensure that no teenage girl or boy, young woman or man is denied that protection no matter where they live." He also raised concerns about current vaccination rates: "Although we have seen some increase in the number of young people being vaccinated, uptake is still well below pre-Covid pandemic levels. Over a quarter of young people, many thousands, are missing out on this potentially life-saving vaccine, which protects not only against cervical cancer, but all young adults, men and women, against genital warts and some genital cancers, as well as mouth and throat cancers. "We're calling on all parents to return their children's HPV vaccination consent forms promptly. This simple action could protect your child from developing cancer in the future. For young adults up to age 25, who missed their school vaccinations, please speak to your GP about catch-up options – it's never too late to get protected. "And it's important to stress that even if you've had the HPV vaccine, it's vital you still attend your cervical screening appointments when invited. Both vaccination and screening together give you your best chance of protection against cervical cancer." While the HPV vaccine provides excellent protection, attending cervical screening appointments remains crucial, regardless of vaccination status. Screening can detect abnormal cells before they develop into cancer, allowing for early treatment and prevention. 'Uptake is unequal' Cancer Research UK's chief executive, Michelle Mitchell, said: "Thanks to the power of research and the efforts of NHS staff, a future where almost nobody gets cervical cancer is in sight. This progress hinges on people's access to two lifesaving offers - HPV vaccination and screening. Together, they give the best protection against the disease. "Latest data reveals an unequal uptake of the HPV vaccine across England, highlighting the need for local authorities and health services to work together and improve access to these lifesaving opportunities. Beating cervical cancer means beating it for everyone, so I encourage all parents and guardians to ensure young people don't miss out on getting the HPV vaccine. And if you receive your cervical screening invite, don't ignore it." Dr Amanda Doyle OBE, National Director for Primary Care and Community Services at NHS England, said: "The NHS HPV vaccination programme has already helped save thousands of lives and we need to go further to boost uptake of HPV vaccines and cervical screening to help eliminate cervical cancer in England by 2040. "If we can ensure that almost every Year 10 girl in some areas is protected and extremely unlikely to ever develop cervical cancer, we need to match this in every part of the country. It's vital for boys and young men to be vaccinated too – rates in boys still lag behind girls and HPV causes thousands of cancers in men as well as things like genital warts. "I would urge all parents to give their consent for their child to be vaccinated and it's important to remember that those that remain unvaccinated and have left school can still get vital protection by contacting their GP practice to catch up before their 25th birthday. With vaccination being just one dose, it is easier than ever to ensure young people get protection."
The Independent
04-03-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Concern over dip in vaccine which can protect against six cancers
There is a 'worrying lack of awareness' about the HPV jab given to high school pupils, a charity has said after figures show that over a quarter of eligible teenagers are missing out. The vaccine protects against the human papillomavirus (HPV), which significantly reduces the risk of cancers caused by HPV. Leading gynaecological cancer charity, The Eve Appeal, has raised concerns over a dip in uptake figures in England coupled with an 'understanding gap' about the vaccine. And leading health officials from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) have urged young people to take up the offer of the jab as it called on parents to sign the consent forms to enable their children to be vaccinated. Officials statistics published in January show that HPV coverage for year 8 students in England was 72.9% for girls in 2023/24, down from 86.9% in 2017/18. The jab for boys was only introduced in 2019 and coverage levels reached at 71% in 2020/21, but the latest figures show they now stand at 67.7%. There has been a small increase in uptake among both girls and boys from 2022/23 to 2023/34 – though experts have said that there is 'a long way to go'. It comes as a survey released by The Eve Appeal found 38% of adults said they do not know who is eligible for the NHS HPV vaccination programme. Two in five (40%) were aware of the vaccination programme for 12 to 13-year-old girls, but only 18% knew the jab is also offered to boys this age, according to the YouGov poll of 2,100 UK adults. The jab helps to ward off six different cancers including those of the cervix, mouth, anus, penis, vulva and vagina. Athena Lamnisos, chief executive of The Eve Appeal chief executive, said that there is a 'worrying lack of awareness around HPV', adding: ' Girls in the UK have been offered the HPV vaccination since 2008 and vaccination started for boys in 2019 – but in 2025 we've got a long way to go reach the target. 'We know that this is largely because of a huge information and understanding gap around how effective the vaccine as a cancer prevention tool. 'And that's exactly what the HPV vaccine is – the best chance of stopping six different kinds of cancer before they get a chance to start. 'We want to make sure that every young person eligible and every parent or carer, has the information and confidence they need to take up the offer of HPV vaccination.' Dr Sharif Ismail, consultant epidemiologist at UKHSA, said: 'Although we have seen some increases in the number of young people being vaccinated, uptake is still well below pre-pandemic levels, with over a quarter missing out on this vital protection. 'We urge young people and their parents to ensure consent forms are returned so both boys and girls take up this potentially life-saving vaccine when offered. 'If you missed your HPV vaccine, you can contact your GP practice to arrange an appointment – you remain eligible to receive the vaccine until your 25th birthday.' Steve Russell, national director for vaccinations at NHS England, added: 'We're urging parents of boys and girls eligible for a vaccine to consent to their children getting their HPV vaccines from nurses when they visit schools, as it helps protect against a virus causing cancers including head and neck, and nearly all cases of cervical cancer.' Cancer Research UK's chief executive, Michelle Mitchell, added: 'The science is clear: HPV vaccination is safe and effective. It's vital that access to HPV vaccination and cervical screening is improved to ensure more lives aren't lost to cervical cancer.'
