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What is cervical cancer?
Cervical cancer is a cancer that develops in the cervix. The cervix is the opening to the womb (uterus). Cervical cancer can affect anyone who has a cervix.
Most cervical cancers are caused by a very common virus called Human Papillomavirus (HPV). Many people will get HPV at some point in their lives without knowing it. Usually, the body clears the virus naturally. Sometimes, however, HPV can cause changes in cells that may develop into cancer if they are not found and treated. 99.7% of cervical cancers are caused by HPV infection.
The good news is that cervical cancer is one of the most preventable cancers.
How does the NHS help prevent cervical cancer?
The HPV vaccine helps protect against the types of HPV that cause most cervical cancers. It is routinely offered to children aged 12 to 13 years (school Year 8).
The vaccine is very effective and is expected to prevent most cervical cancers. The HPV vaccine used in the NHS vaccination programme is called Gardasil 9. It protects against nine types of HPV.
It is often called the ‘cervical cancer vaccine’ because it has been proven to reduce rates of cervical cancer in England. The vaccine also protects against types of HPV that can cause cancers of the mouth, throat, vulva, vagina, penis and anus. It also protects against genital warts.
Important: HPV vaccine facts
A 2021 study found that cervical cancer rates were reduced by almost 90% in women in their 20s in England, who were offered the vaccine aged 12-13.
A more recent study in 2026 showed “the relative [mortality] risk reduction in vaccinated women was estimated from population-level data to be 100%”.
The HPV vaccine doesn’t just prevent cervical cancer, it helps to reduce the risk of 5 other types of cancer too.
Who can get the HPV vaccine?
The HPV vaccine is recommended and available on the NHS for children aged 12 to 13 years old and people at higher risk from HPV. All children in year 8 are offered the HPV vaccine. It is usually a one-dose injection given in the arm.
All girls who missed their HPV vaccination at school can be vaccinated for free by the NHS up to their 25th birthday (contact the GP practice if you are unsure of your vaccination status).
Boys born after 1 September 2006 can also have the vaccination for free by the NHS up to their 25th birthday if they didn’t have the vaccination at school.
Important: Important
It’s still important to attend cervical screening appointments if you’ve been vaccinated against HPV, as there’s still a small chance you could get cervical cancer.
Where to get the HPV vaccine?
If you missed your HPV vaccination and are still eligible, contact us and book an appointment with the practice nurse. We can offer appointments during weekdays, evenings as well as weekends (evening and weekend appointments may be at local NHS hubs).
If you are unsure of your vaccination status, or have any questions about the HPV vaccination, please speak to our practice nurse.