The HPV virus is spread through sexual contact – but it doesn’t need to be full sexual intercourse. Even intimate skin-to-skin contact in the genital area can be enough to transmit HPV.

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You can catch HPV from just one partner. It is impossible to tell just by looking at someone whether they are infected, so you won’t know. And it can be passed on without actual sexual intercourse - just intimate skin to skin contact in the genital areas could be enough.

Having the vaccine protects you against infection with the HPV types that cause most cases of cervical cancer. It only takes one person to pass it on to you now or in the future.

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99.7% of cervical cancer cases are caused by HPV infection. Up to 80% of all HPV infections involve cancer-causing types of the virus.

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Although there is no organised national Cervical Screening programme currently in place in Ireland, it is anticipated that a national screening programme will be implemented in 2008. In many European countries, the general advice is to attend your first smear between the ages of 18 - 25. Contact your doctor or family planning clinic who can advise you about making an appointment for a smear test.

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It’s important that you are tested regularly to assess your health over time. Although there is no organised national Cervical Screening programme currently in place in Ireland, it is anticipated that a national screening programme will be implemented in 2008. In many European countries, the general advice is to attend a smear test every 3 years. Contact your doctor or family planning clinic who can advise you about making an appointment for a smear test.

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Yes, most definitely. Regular screening – in combination with vaccination - is the most effective way to help prevent cervical cancer.

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Even if you have had an abnormal smear in the past (which means that an HPV infection has been present) this does not mean that you won't benefit from the protection a vaccine may offer, as the abnormal smear result may have been caused by another HPV type.

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Even if you have already come into contact with the virus, vaccination can still be effective. Although HPV infection is common among sexually active women, most are not infected with all types covered by the vaccine, i.e. you could still become infected with another high-risk type of the HPV virus in the future. For example, if you had been infected with type 16 in the past, you could become infected with type 18 in the future.

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Cervical cancer vaccines can be prescribed to you by your GP, he/she can advise if it is suitable for you. Vaccination offers effective protection against the most common high-risk types of HPV infection.

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Vaccination offers effective protection against the most common cancer-causing types of HPV infections.

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Currently and after several years of evaluation, vaccination is proven to be working well and so continuing to offer protection. The need for a booster has not yet been established but your doctor will inform you over time if this changes and a booster becomes required.

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All vaccines have to undergo thorough clinical trials and monitoring before being approved for prescription. Several thousand women across a wide range of ages will have received cervical cancer vaccination during a programme of carefully monitored trials. Cervical cancer vaccination is generally well tolerated. Like other vaccines, there might be side effects such as redness, swelling or mild pain at the site of the injection, these usually go away quickly.

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It is very common for vaccination courses to require more than one dose in order to achieve their full effect. The first dose ‘primes’ the immune system and the second dose further prepares it. When the third dose is given, a very strong and long lasting immune response is achieved, which gives the best chance of protection against the real virus if it is encountered in the future.

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Cervical cancer vaccination is given by three injections in the arm. The three injections are spread over a period of time.

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Your doctor or nurse is the best person to check whether you should consider becoming vaccinated. However, you can still benefit from vaccination if you are starting the menopause or post-menopausal.

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Vaccination should be postponed until your pregnancy is over. The implications for breast-feeding mothers are not yet known – we recommend you talk to your doctor or other healthcare professional for advice.

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Talk to your doctor or nurse about cervical cancer screening and vaccination.

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