It is estimated that the human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccine programme in the UK could prevent over 100,000 HPV-related cancers in the next few decades.
HPV has been linked with 5 per cent of all cancers globally. More than 99 per cent of cervical cancers, 90 per cent of anal cancers, ~70 per cent of vaginal and vulvar cancers and >60 per cent of penile cancers are attributable to HPV.
The University of Warwick conducted a modelling study which estimates that the HPV vaccine programme could prevent up to 64,138 HPV-related cervical cancers and 49,649 other HPV-related cancers by 2058.
The HPV vaccine is being offered to girls free of cost by the NHS since 2008 and >80 per cent of women aged 15 to 24 years have been vaccinated till date. Starting in September 2019, the HPV vaccine programme will be offered to boys in school year 8 for the first time.
Seema Kennedy, Public Health Minister, said: "Programmes like this are at the heart of our work to help people live longer, healthier lives through the NHS Long Term Plan and I would encourage everyone who is eligible to take up this potentially life-saving vaccine."
