The Department of Health will be supporting cervical cancer prevention week which starts tomorrow (Sunday).

It is focusing on two specific aspects of prevention – immunisation and screening.

Health Minister David Anderson MHK said: "To be able to vaccinate against this type of cancer is a remarkable step forward.

"By providing a HPV (Human Papilloma Virus) immunisation programme annually, the department is taking action to save the lives of numerous women in the Isle of Man.

"We hope to see the number of cases of cervical cancer reduced by more than two thirds in the years ahead, as those girls who have been vaccinated enter adulthood. 

"We're fortunate that we have these golden opportunities to prevent this potentially life threatening disease through immunisation as well as to detect and treat it early through screening.

"For this to work we need all girls in the appropriate age bracket to take up the HPV vaccine and for all women to attend their regular screening appointments.

"Just having a simple set of injections or attending a screening test can save lives."

The HPV immunisation programme is offered to all girls aged 12 to 13.

The department said there is clear evidence the HPV vaccination will prevent 70 per cent of cervical cancers by offering protection against the two most common types of HPV.

The programme began in 2010 and each year 85 per cent of girls in year 8 take up the vaccinations. Girls who may have missed the vaccinations in year 8 can still start the HPV vaccination before they are 18.

Health protection nurse Jacqui Dunn said: "It's not only important that as many girls in the age 12 to 13 age bracket take up the vaccine, but also that they complete the course of three injections. 

"The public health directorate works closely with all of the Island's secondary schools to raise awareness and provide information as well as work with and reassure parents and young girls."

The cervical screening programme detects potentially abnormal changes early so they can be followed up and treated before becoming cancer.

The peak incidence of cervical cancer is between the ages of 40 to 55 and it is very rare in women aged under 25. 

The department said the importance of regular screening from the age of 25 cannot be over emphasised.

Its cervical screening programme calls women every three years for those in the 25 to 49 year old age bracket and every five years for those in the 50 to 64 year old age group.

Approximately one in 20 screening results show some changes, although the majority of these changes don't lead to cancer and are followed up by the screening team.

Director of Public Health Dr Parameswaran Kishore said: "This awareness week highlights the importance of all girls in the eligible age group receiving all three doses of the HPV vaccination, as well as encouraging eligible women to accept the invitation for cervical screening and follow up.

"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.

"Some 20 per cent of women don't attend each year for this important test."