- James Gallagher
- BBC science and medical correspondent
A prominent scientist has said that women who have received the HPV vaccine may only need to have one smear test to prevent cervical cancer in their lifetime.
Women in Britain now receive calls from a doctor for an examination every three to five years
Professor Peter Sasini said the vaccine had led to a significant reduction in cancer rates, to the point that the screening program would need to change soon.
Cancer Research Britain urged women to continue to come for screening when invited.
Almost all cases of cervical cancer are caused by human papillomaviruses. If there is a long-term infection, the virus may damage DNA and start to turn healthy cells into cancerous cells.
There are more than 100 types of HPV, and they are so common that most people will become infected at some point during their lives.
The British government health system therefore invites women with cervicitis to get regular check-ups. A cervical swab is used to check for signs of abnormalities using a microscope or, more recently, to test for the virus itself.
drop by 90 percent
The major shift in cervical cancer prevention in Britain began in 2008 with the introduction of the HPV vaccine. Girls between the ages of 11 and 13 get the vaccine.
Viruses are spread by skin-to-skin contact, so the vaccine is given before entering the stage of sexual activity.
Research published in December showed that the vaccine reduces cervical cancer by nearly 90 percent in those who choose to get the vaccine.
Professor Sasini, director of the Clinical Trials Unit at King’s College London, told BBC Radio 4: “This is really amazing.”
Studies show that between one and three lifelong examinations will be sufficient for people who have received the vaccine.
“It is possible that women will be screened in [سن] 30 and 45, and you may want to do it on 30, 40 and 55, so the scan may be done three times.”
He added, “There is a new vaccine that will be used in Britain from next school year, which protects against more types of virus, and I think it is likely that one swab will suffice, perhaps two, for a lifetime.”
This represents a fundamental shift in cervical screening, where mothers need regular check-ups while their daughters only need to go a few times.
But the National Screening Committee in Britain has not made a decision on the future of cervical screening.
Sasini said the issue is becoming increasingly urgent as the first generation to be vaccinated has now been invited for testing.
“We really want to make those changes over the next two years,” Sasini added. “It’s a big change because the vaccine has been very successful, and that makes perfect sense.”
But there are some doubts. It is not known how long HPV protection lasts or whether a midlife booster is needed. Regular screening will be needed for decades because of the generations that did not receive the vaccine.
“Although we don’t know exactly what cervical screening will look like in the future, we are already seeing scientific developments shaping the way it is offered in Britain,” said Karis Bates, director of health information at Cancer Research UK.
“The success of the HPV vaccination program and the introduction of better testing means that people need fewer tests, but are still equally protected from cervical cancer,” she added.
“Regular screening plays an important role in preventing cancer, especially if you have not received the HPV vaccine,” she said.
Britain’s Health Care Service said one in three people did not come for a test when called.
The NHS spokesperson added: “The NHS cervical screening program remains an important way to protect the population, including those who have not been vaccinated, from developing cervical cancer.”
“I told them to save me becausegel my kids“
Laura Flaherty was diagnosed with cervical cancer this year at age 29 after postponing a routine smear test.
“The HPV vaccine was not available when I was in school,” she said.
“I was diagnosed after a routine swab test. I put it off for four months, and while it wouldn’t have made a difference to my diagnosis, it shows how important the swab is,” she added.
“I was told I had abnormal cells and tested positive for HPV, and further tests revealed that I had stage 1 cervical cancer, which led to a hysterectomy,” she said.
“I sat in a room and they told me, ‘We are really sorry you have cancer.’ I have two young children and I said ‘I want you to save me, they need to take care of them.'”
“I went for a swab test in February of this year,” she said. “I always feel very lucky to be alive.”