Fantastic news for women's health was announced yesterday. Deaths from cervical cancer have fallen to zero in young women who were part of the HPV vaccination programme 🙌🏻
I was part of that generation.
I remember lining up at school for my vaccination. I remember standing amongst my classmates while many were nervous and worried about having an injection. I wasn't.
In fact, I was keen to have it.
Why?
Because when I was around 11 years old, I watched my mum battle cervical cancer and win.
I won't go into detail because that's her story to tell, and one she has never shared publicly before. But before POI, before infertility, my first experience of women's health was seeing my mum go through cervical cancer treatment and come out the other side.
Calling her a warrior would be an understatement.
I watched her recover following treatment and a full hysterectomy. She was no older than I am now.
Because of that experience, I grew up with a very different perspective to many of my peers. I understood why the vaccine mattered. I understood why prevention mattered. And when I was old enough, I understood why smear tests mattered too.
This news is incredible and absolutely worth celebrating.
What it shouldn't be taken to mean, however, is that if you've had the HPV vaccine, you no longer need to attend your smear tests. I've already seen comments suggesting exactly that.
A few important reminders:
🩺 The HPV vaccine protects against the types of HPV most likely to cause cervical cancer, but not all of them.
🩺 Smear tests help detect abnormal cell changes early, often before cancer develops.
🩺 When cancer is diagnosed, the skill of medical professionals, advances in treatment and, when necessary, surgery continue to save lives every day.
The HPV vaccine is one of the greatest advances in women's health we've seen in decades. But it works alongside screening, early detection and treatment, not instead of them.
Every part of that pathway saves lives. When you're invited for your smear test, please go!
