Calls for Review on HPV Vaccination Programme
Some health experts are calling for the Department of Health to review the current HPV vaccination programme and consider expanding the programme to include teenage boys, as well as girls.
The human papilloma virus, known as the HPV, has been identified as a major risk factor for cervical cancer, but studies have also shown that it is linked to oral cancer. The number of cases of throat cancer has more than doubled since the mid 1990s and HPV has now been confirmed as one of the main risk factors for the disease. Other risk factors include drinking and smoking.
The HPV vaccination was introduced for teenage girls to protect them against cervical cancer, however, there are now calls from dentists and doctors for the vaccination to be given to teenage boys to help prevent the spread of the HPV, which can increase the risk of other types of cancer. HPV is spread through oral sex and kissing, but most people are unaware of the virus and experts believe that teenagers view oral sex as completely safe.
Research has also confirmed that boys have a higher risk of developing throat cancer as a result of exposure to the HPV, because the concentration of viral cells is higher in the female genital tract.
In response to the calls, the Department of Health has asked for the latest statistics from Professor Hisham Mehanna from the Institute of Head and Neck Studies in Coventry. Professor Mehanna said that there has been a huge increase in the number of cases of throat cancer and it is worrying that the disease is becoming increasingly common in young people under the age of 40.
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