The Department of Health is pleased to support Cervical Cancer Prevention Awareness Week, a campaign taking place throughout Europe between Sunday 23rd January and Saturday 29th January, led by the European Cervical Cancer Association (ECCA). The Department of Health is using the awareness week as an opportunity to highlight the importance that prevention plays in reducing the number of deaths caused by cervical cancer and continues to provide information so that the public can make an informed choice on both vaccination and screening. There are two specific methods of prevention that the Department of Health provides to young girls and women in the Isle of Man: · Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) Vaccine: There is clear evidence that the HPV vaccination will prevent 70% of cervical cancers. · Cervical Screening: Cervical screening detects abnormal cells early, before they become cancerous and such early treatment can prevent the progression to cancer In spite of the points above, only 70% of the girls aged 12 - 18 years have completed the course HPV vaccinations and only 80% of women in the eligible age group for screening have accepted the invitation. Minister for Health, Mr David Anderson MHK, commented “The key message we continue to persevere with is that cervical cancer is a preventable disease. Vaccination and screening are a choice, but their proven success in preventing and detecting cancer earlier leads to healthier outcomes for all. The decisions and actions taken by women in relation to screening or parents and young girls in relation to vaccination are crucial – these decisions can save lives. It’s for this reason that we continue to do as much as we can to raise awareness of the two ways of preventing this all too often deadly disease.” The Department of Health continues work to stress the importance of all girls in the eligible age group receiving all three doses of the HPV vaccination and also encourages women to ensure that they accept the invitation for cervical screening and follow-ups. The majority of those who do not take up either the vaccine or the invitation for screening often do not fully realise the implications of their decision, as they may not be aware of all the facts on cervical cancer. Health Protection Nurse, Jacqui Dunn, added “To some extent, we’re very lucky that cervical cancer can be so easily prevented through something as simple as a vaccination and easily detected through screening. A very quick and simple process can literally save a life. Of course we appreciate that people tend not to like needles and that women may feel embarrassed at the prospect of having a cervical screening or a ‘smear test’ as it used to be known; but this really shouldn’t deter people from at least thinking about these life saving procedures. At the very least I would encourage every woman and young girl or her parents who are concerned about any aspect of cervical cancer or its prevention to speak to their GP.” Further information is available from the Department of Health website and from the Public Health Directorate who can be contacted by telephone on 642639 or by e-mail on publichealth@gov.im. - ENDS -