Since September 2008 there has been a national programme to vaccinate girls aged 12 to 13 against the human papilloma virus (HPV). This age-group is usually in year 8 at schools in England.

From September 2008 a three-year "catch-up" campaign was started, to offer the HPV vaccine, also known as the cervical cancer jab, to older girls aged 14–17. Most primary care trusts are aiming to complete the catch-up programme within two years.

The programme is delivered largely through secondary schools and consists of three injections that should ideally be given over a period of six months, although they can all be given over a period of 12 months.

In the UK, from September 2008 to July 2010, at least four million doses of Cervarix (the HPV vaccine used in the UK programme) were given.

Human papilloma virus (HPV)

The human papilloma virus (HPV) is the name given to a family of viruses that affect the skin and the moist membranes (mucosa) that line the body. Mucosa are found in the:

* mouth

* throat

* cervix (the neck of the womb)

* anus

There are over 100 different types of HPV, with around 40 types affecting the genital area. These are classed as high-risk and low-risk depending on the type of conditions that they can cause (see HPV vaccination – Why it is needed for more information).

Different types of HPV

Infection with some high-risk types of HPV can cause abnormal tissue growth as well as other cell changes that can lead to cervical cancer (cancer of the cervix).

Infection with other types of HPV may cause:

* genital warts: small growths or skin changes on or around the genital or anal area. These are the most common viral sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the UK.

* skin warts and verrucas

* vaginal cancer or vulval cancer (although these types of cancer are rare)

* anal cancer or cancer of the penis

* some cancers of the head and neck

* laryngeal papillomas (warts on the voice box or vocal cords)

Some types of HPV are transmitted through sexual contact, which can cause genital warts and cervical cancer.

Combined with cervical screening, the HPV vaccination is an important step towards preventing cervical cancer. It is estimated that about 400 lives could be saved in the UK every year as a result of vaccinating girls before they are infected with HPV.

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"has anyone seen this programme on iplayer?

i never knew you could get cancer from oral sex! "

It was quite a concern that men or for that matter women could be putting our selves at risk performing oral sex on a woman. Cancer isn't pleasant at any time and I know many get it from various contributing factors. I have sympathy for some but not the smokers.

I am starting to worry about the connection between cunnilingus and throat cancer. Apparently I can be stopped if you get vaccinated but at present only teenage girls are receiving this so as to prevent cervical cancer. Now I think this is a fantastic idea and if it proves successful then that is great but what I do not know is why they are not doing males as well. Surely this is sexist and unlawful to treat the sexes differently. Also not giving it above a certain age is ageist too. I know the government has to make cutbacks but it can't be that expensive to introduce and the reduction in medical care later has to be taken into account.

The whole issue has taken a little bit of fun and enjoyment out of performing the act of cunnilingus.

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"has anyone seen this programme on iplayer?

i never knew you could get cancer from oral sex!

The whole issue has taken a little bit of fun and enjoyment out of performing the act of cunnilingus. "

Not sure if this is correct but girls are the carriers of the hpv virus that causes cancer. Correct me if I am wrong but have just gone through all this as my eldest is midway through having the injections.

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

i dont think there is anybody in the world who doesnt know somebody who has been affected by cancer it comes in many forms and its an evil evil illness that 1 day will be beaten and driven out of human life for good ,none of us will be around to see it happen but im sure later generations of all our families will and all the sadness it brings will be history once and for all,

this is a subject i feel so strongly about and i do everything i can to help fund the amazing research that is being done,the goverment wont fund it so its down to us all to do our bit!

as for oral sex being a possible cause for some cancers its alarming but then again there are so many causes we face on a daily basis ,so basically if you are going to get it you are going to get it and there is very little that can be done to change that until it is beaten for good.

i never thought i would be writing a post like this on a swinging site but like i say its a subject that touches my heart and i feel so strongly about.

i will stop wittering on now sorry x

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

By (user no longer on site) OP over a year ago

well as my kids are all boys and all grown up this whole thing has just past me by

your right about cancer being so widely spread for so many different reasons

and your right that it is common enough for us all to know someone who has been touched by it

the whole sex connection thing surprised me though - especially oral sex - the programme felt it was aimed at young adults - just the way it was presented - so i guess i need to educate my self a little more on this subject!

it gives a whole new meaning to safe sex

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

By *unterslickCouple over a year ago

tullamore

"has anyone seen this programme on iplayer?

i never knew you could get cancer from oral sex!

The whole issue has taken a little bit of fun and enjoyment out of performing the act of cunnilingus. "

another post in lounge last week dealt with this too,another prog was on bbc just sunday night gone,apparently it costs 300 sterling for the injection,,,and now you say there is 3,so that would be 900,and if you havea family like me with 1 girl and 2 boys,for me to get the injections,wed be paying like 1500 euro plus flights,,,as i havent even heard of any of these injections in ireland

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

I agree that boys should be vaccinated as well as girls (it's boys that transmit the virus between girls, they just obviously have no risk of developing cervical cancer!)

But, the age restrictions are in place re: vaccination as once someone has the virus, the vaccine is ineffective (horse, bolt, stable door..) - they have to make the assumption that people are sexually active at a younger age now and so vaccinating the vast majority of 17/18/19 year olds (and older) would be a huge waste of resources.

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

It's 120 pounds or thereabouts per jab. You need 3. The reason it's only offered to young girls is because unless they std-checked before giving it to women, it's pretty pointless, got to be given before sexual activity.

It's not sexist, girls already get different jabs to guys as we can get things like rubella etc...just down to being a different sex. Similar reasons to the HPV jab - girls are more likely to contract it due to vaginal walls being more absorbant etc etc (same as stds unfortunately)

Also, as far as i'm aware, guys don't have cervixes, and thats the main worry linked to HPV, cervical cancer!

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

The programme I watched says males are 5 times more likley to contract the HPV virus. So would make sense to vac the males too.

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

[Removed by poster at 19/01/11 16:31:56]

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

All down to costs and risk assessment - the effects of girls getting it they have deemed to be higher and i guess the gov were thinking that if they vaccinate all girls then they will be protected, even if the boys have it. And i guess if girls are protected, the boys are less likely to contract it.

Also wouldnt be sure whether theyre more likely to get it due to more sexual partners rather than the 'catching' risk of it.

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

By *unterslickCouple over a year ago

tullamore

for anyone that missed the prog its on bbc3 at 9pm tonight

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

Greetings all.

The HPV vaccine covers two common virus sub-types that are linked to cervical cancer.

The HPV sub-types that are associated with eg tonsillar cancer, are not the same. So the vaccine is unlikely to protect.

Most cases of tonsillar cancer occur in smokers that also drink a fair bit of alcohol (though not exclusively so...there are always exceptions). HPV positive tumours do much better than HPV negative, and the majority of cases are positive for HPV16 (from memory). Its routine now to test a tonsil tumour for HPV after chopping it out, as this helps predict your chances (prognosis).

So....in summary...its probably too late to lessen your risks if you are reading this on a swingers site !! Your risks are higher if you smoke and drink spirits. You are much more likely to get knocked down or have a heart attack or stroke.

Life is a bit of a lottery, and some of us stack the odds more than others

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

Jees all in moderation I hate these scare tactics. I would rather enjoy myself a s safely as possible. But think of this me highly sexed, overweight, drink a little, smoke and very healthy and yes enjoying life to the max. My brother total health freek in a loveless marrige has astma and in and out of the docs for one thing or another he does'nt drink and never smoked a fag in his life whose happier.

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

oooh...no tactics in my post....and hopefully not scary.

Simply the facts as they stand.

Being a passenger in a car also carries a risk. As does crossing the street. Or eating a fish supper. Everything is risky.

Sadly, we are all here til it all goes wrong, or we crumble and wither. So yeah.."enjoy life when you are able" seems a reasonable creed. xx

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

By *edangel_2013Woman over a year ago

southend

The last I heard eating burnt food can cause Cancer, as can a whole host of other obscure things.

Eating tomatoes, can help prevent cancer.

Well thats me buggered, because I hate tomatoes, and like my food a bit crispy.

As someone else said everything in life carries a risk.

I'd rather enjoy my life, then spend it wrapped in cotton wool hoping not to come into contact with anything that could possibly cause me harm.

And I'm not being flippant about Cancer, someone very close to me died through Cancer, and they taught me to live my life as full as possible, because in the end, we all die.

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

By *eakcoupleCouple over a year ago

peak district

Why is it 'they' say everything that's fun can give you cancer?

Take sensible precautions but enjoy yourselves is out motto.

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

By *eezeWoman over a year ago

Timbuktu

As a very greedy girl with the ladies, I wondered if anyone has tried dental dams (like a thin sheet of something, sometimes come in flavours) when giving or receiving oral??Being a bit worried I thought they might be worth a try but would love to hear any feedback on them!

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

» Add a new message to this topic