HPV and Cervical Cancer

Starter and Large Group Stimulus Presentation

This campaign has been produced by The Royal Society of Health with funding from Sanofi Pasteur MSD. Sanofi Pasteur MSD has reviewed this article / item for accuracy. Editorial control remains with The Royal Society of Health. Correct at time of print July 2008.

INFORMATION NOTES FOR PRESENTER

Positioning Cervical Cancer Vaccination Programme in schools – The

Background.

This presentation has been developed by a school nurse.

It is intended to be used as a year group assembly presentation (for girls) in

advance of them receiving the cervical cancer vaccination.

The presentation has been designed to be adapted by individual presenters

to suit the audience and circumstance. Key areas of change are suggested

and highlighted within the presentation in red italic text.

HPV and Cervical CancerHPV and Cervical Cancer

What you need to know

Insert presenter name here

Only occurs in females

Almost always caused by

Human Papillomavirus(HPV)

2nd most commoncancer in women

under 35

Cervix – opening to the uterus

CERVICAL CANCER

What is the Cervix?

The cervix is the lower end of the uterus, where it opens into the

vagina.

The cervix undergoes changes in shape and structure during the

course of a woman’s life (puberty, labour and menopause).

How are Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and Cervical Cancer related?

Human papillomavirus is common; most women will

become infected in their lifetime.

Most infections have no noticeable symptoms and

over 90% of infections are cleared by the body’s

immune system within a year.

There are over 100 types of HPV but only 13 of

them are known to cause cervical cancer.

If the body does not clear the infection, abnormal

cells can develop in the lining of the cervix.

No symptoms / silent virus

Contagious and transmitted through

skin to skingenital contact

Almost all cases of cervical cancer are

caused by HPV and other types can cause genital warts

HPV is very common

HPV

What can we do to help prevent Cervical Cancer?

Ages

England 25-64 years

Northern Ireland 25- 64 years

Scotland 20-60 years

Wales 20-64 years

Immunisation / Vaccination

Girls have a course of 3 injections

(at school) which will protect them

from the types of HPV that cause

cervical cancer.

Screening / Checking

From the age of 25 in England and

Northern Ireland, 20 in Scotland and

Wales women are regularly

screened for cervical changes.

Vaccines help protect you against

many diseases

Vaccines are given to people by

doctors, nurses or health

administrators

Vaccines containantibodies that fight

against specificdiseases

Some vaccines are injected, like the HPV vaccine. Some can be

taken by mouth like the polio vaccine

Vaccines

Immunisation in School

A team of nurses / health professionals will be coming into

school very soon to give (year group) girls their injections.

Girls will need 3 injections in total. 1 every couple of

months.

These injections will protect girls against certain types of

HPV that cause 70% of cervical cancer.

Immunisation in School

When

Where

What will happen on the day?

Insert details here of planned logistics

Things to Remember

Take your consent form home for your parent / carer to

sign.

Return consent form promptly by the return date (insert

date here).

Please wear loose fitting / short-sleeved school shirt, or

T-shirt under your shirt, to enable easy access to the top of

your arm, on each of the three days.

Things to Remember

Don’t worry!

Prevention is better than cure!

Don’t believe rumours, talk to your school nurse or teacher.

Drop in sessions available to discuss any concerns /

rumours.

OPPORTUNITY TO HAND OUT LEAFLETS

The Royal Society of Health HPV and Cervical Cancer – The

Basics Leaflet, available to download from www.rsph.org

Arm Against Cervical Cancer, NHS Q&A Fact Sheet available

from www.immunisation.nhs.uk/publications/HPV_leaflet.pdf

Additional supporting slide for HPV follows if required

What are the different types of Human Papillomavirus?

There are more than 100 types of human papillomavirus.

Most of the them are relatively harmless, like the ones that

cause common warts found on hands and feet.

A few are responsible for diseases such as cervical

cancer and genital warts.