By Gillian Ellison

Last updated 16:08, Wednesday, 03 September 2008

A NEW vaccination programme is being introduced to protect girls from cervical cancer.

As a result, cases of the second most common cancer of women worldwide could be cut by nearly three-quarters in Cumbria.

In the three years to 2006, 33 women died of cervical cancer in Cumbria.

The HPV, or human papillomavirus, vaccine is being offered to all 12 and 13-year-old girls in year 8 from this month.

It protects against the two types of HPV which cause more than 70 per cent of cervical cancers. This will be an on-going programme in schools.

Also from September this year, girls who are aged 17 or 18 will be offered vaccination.

From August 2009 and lasting for two years, there will also be a catch-up vaccination programme for girls aged 15 – 18 (school years 10 and 11), so that by summer 2011 all girls leaving school will be protected.

Parents of more than 3,000 eligible girls in Cumbria received information about the vaccination in the summer. The vaccine will be given in three doses over six months.

“New cases of cervical cancer have been falling for years thanks to the national cervical cancer screening programme,” said Dr Nigel Calvert, associate director of public health at NHS Cumbria, the county’s primary care trust.

“The HPV vaccination should ensure the 11 or so women who currently die each year from cervical cancer in Cumbria falls significantly in the years to come.”

HPV is spread through sexual contact and, while most girls don’t start having sex until they are 16 or older, it has been shown the vaccine provides the best protection if it is given at ages 12 to 13.

There are more than 100 types of HPV but only 13 cause cancer. The vaccination protects against types 16 and 18 which are responsible for most cases.

However, because it doesn’t protect against all HPV viruses it will be essential that girls, like their mothers, take part in the NHS cervical cancer screening programme once they are old enough, say health bosses.

Dr Calvert added: “Vaccination and clean water are the foundation stones of good public health across the world.

“The HPV vaccination programme is another important step forward that will benefit the health of women in Cumbria for years to come.”

New cases of cervical cancer fell by 42% between 1988 and 1997 in England and Wales. This fall is directly related to the national cervical screening programme.

Further information is available at www.immunisation.nhs.uk/Vaccines/HPV or by calling the national HPV helpline on 0845 602 3303.