Dentist Raises Issue Of Oral Cancer Vaccine In House Of Commons
Sir Paul Beresford, dentist and MP, has urged the House of Commons to consider extending the availability of the HPV vaccine to men in a bid to reduce the number of cases of oral cancer; the vaccine, which protects against the human papilloma virus, is currently available to teenage girls to lower the risk of cervical cancer.
Sir Beresford raised the issue during a debate in the Commons on the 14th January; he was speaking following the publication of a letter from the chair of the British Dental Association’s Health and Science Committee, Dr Graham Stokes, in the British Dental Journal. Dr Stokes’ letter was also accompanied by an article by Stephen Hancocks and both called for the vaccination programme to be extended. The HPV vaccine is currently given to 12 and 13 year old girls; however, the British Dental Association believes that it is should be extended to men to try and lower the number of cases of oral cancer, a disease, which has become increasingly prevalent in the UK over the course of the last decade.
Speaking in the House of Commons, Sir Beresford said that public awareness of oral cancer was low and this was contributing to high death rates, as most cases are diagnosed at an advanced stage. He used the example of the two cancer campaigns, which ran throughout the month of November; Movember, which raises awareness of male cancers, had an extremely high profile, while Mouth Cancer Action Month was really only a success within the dental world.
Sir Beresford pointed out that it was not logical to vaccinate only girls and urged the House to consider the example of Australia, where boys and girls are vaccinated.
Minister Jane Ellison responded to the calls, stating that the issue was being considered by a committee and the programme would be extended by the Government if the findings supported this move.
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