General Chat

Didn't know about this til parents told me. Not on NHS at moment will cost £450. Now have to make the decision if eldest gets it as mum and dad have said they will pay for it for her. Any one know much about it?

I dont Dawnie but it sounds very encouraging, I've had 3 abnormal smears and dont want my daughters to go through treatment, Cazxxxxxxx

Caz Cancer of varying forms is a big one in both our families and on mums side there is a case of cervical cancer so would be wise to get it but am dithering lol

i have heard about this Dawnie and wish i had the spare money for my girls to be vaccinated i have had and still are having problems, look into it dawnie, for lissys sake xxLynnxx

Hi Dawn, It has to be a step in the right direction, as I understand it the vaccine will trigger the bodies immunity system to HPV , a virus that is present in something like 70% of all cases of Cervical Cancer and abnormal smears, it will only work for girls that are not s****lly active and according to the experts is 100% effective. I have a daughter and as long as the results are proven, am all for her having it when she is of the age. I have been having on-going treatment for two years and the worry that goes with it all takes its toll. Dawn, there is info available if you g****e,

Hi ladies Over and aside to the vaccine which may or may not be a good thing cervical cancer is caused by the human papilloma virus (genital warts) They first discovered this when they realised that nuns who had never been sexually active never died of cervical cancer. The very best thing you can do for your daughters is teach them to use a condom for all instances of intercourse. No warts no cancer. PS they need to know that they will not always see warts on a carrier Regards tania currie

There is some information here http://www.cancerhelp.org.uk/help/default.asp?page=16024 Gwyn

Just to clarify - HPV is the main, but NOT SOLE cause of cervical cancer.(Hence the nun story) I understand that the vaccine is only to protect against HPV? It will help cut most cases, thank goodness, but presumably will not totally eradicate this disease? Jay

It has to be given before the child becomes sexually active and they do think it will be on the NHS list sooner rather than later! How old is she?

Are they any side effects? Id definately consider it for my 2.

I had cervical cancer a few years ago, and was stunned when a doctor told me, quite casually, that I had genital warts. This caused a lot of problems in my marriage, as I was a faithful wife, and I cross-questioned my husband unmercifully. Finally we BOTH went to the GP, who looked at my records and said that I had had them since I was 25. I had absolutely no idea (no symptoms, they were internal) and no-one bothered to tell me. Fortunately, I had only had one sexual partner since that time, but had I been footloose and fancy free, just think of the damage I could have done. I think any vaccination which can prevent 70% of cases can only be a good thing. Finally, when I was having treatment for cervical cancer, the nurse said to me 'If you had to pick a cancer to have, this is the one to choose, as it is completely curable if you catch it early'. So, a combination of vaccination, regular smear tests and sensible sexual behaviour is the way to go, to beat this. OC

Diana she is 14 and from the article it will be at least next year before its available on NHS and as my dad said they seem to get younger and younger before their first sexual experience she isn't now but who knows when doesn't matter what we tell her she will when she is ready hopefully not for a while yet. As for side effects haven't come across any mentioned yet think need to go and talk to my dr and see his views