Latest news with #TheLadyGardenFoundation
North Wales Live
6 hours ago
- Health
- North Wales Live
Charity backs new drive to get everyone vaccinated against cancer
Health officials have urged hundreds of thousands of people to get a vaccine that protects against certain cancers. It comes amid warnings that more than 418,000 children have left school with no protection against human papillomavirus (HPV) in the last three years. The HPV vaccine is offered to boys and girls when they are in Year 8 and is key to wiping out cervical cancer in the UK. Around 13 high-risk types of HPV are known to cause 99.7% of cervical cancers. The jab also protects against genital warts and head and neck cancers, such as those in the mouth or throat. Now, GP practices in England will invite 16 to 25-year-olds to have the vaccine if records show they did not have it in school. According to NHS England, more than 418,000 children left school without having the jab in the last three years, with concerns there are many more people aged 16 to 25 who are not protected. Data shows that in the 2023/24 academic year, some 76.7% of girls and 71.2% of boys aged 14 to 15 were vaccinated against HPV by Year 10. Uptake in Year 8 increased to 72.9% among girls and 67.7% among boys, from 71.3% and 65.2% respectively a year earlier. The health service will aim to boost uptake among girls to 90% as part of plans to eliminate cervical cancer by 2040. It will also aim to increase the number of women attending cervical cancer screening appointments. John Butler, Consultant Gynaecological Oncology Surgeon at The Royal Marsden and Medical Director at the Lady Garden, said: "Cervical cancer - and other HPV related cancers - are often devastating diseases — but we have the power to eliminate them, through vaccination and screening. It's heartbreaking that so many young people are missing out on the protection the HPV vaccine offers, simply because uptake remains below NHS targets. Over 400,000 young people have left school unvaccinated in the last three years. That's why this new move to remind those who missed out at school is not just welcome - it could be lifesaving." Jenny Halpern Prince MBE, CEO & Co-Founder, The Lady Garden Foundation said: 'Everyone under 25 needs to have the HPV vaccine - not just females. The shocking figures released by the NHS today, revealing that over 400,000 children left school unvaccinated in the last three years alone, mean that so many young people are putting themselves at risk of cancers that they can protect themselves against. "The HPV vaccine protects against the human papillomavirus (HPV), a widespread virus that can cause cervical, vulval, vaginal, mouth, anal & penile cancers (plus genital warts). This safe and highly effective vaccine is given in schools in Year 8 and is available free on the NHS to anyone under the age of 25 from their GP (and pharmacies from 2026). "We urge all unvaccinated young people to book in as soon as possible with their GP. You don't have to wait to be invited. At The Lady Garden Foundation we are working to ensure that all young people (and their parents) understand the many benefits of the HPV vaccine in protecting against six different types of cancer - visiting Freshers' Fairs around the UK and delivering PHSE resources."
Daily Mirror
29-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Emmerdale 'preventable illness' warning for millions of women
A women's health charity is urging people to get tested A women's health charity has issued a reminder to get tested after a heartbreaking soap storyline. Emmerdale has seen teenager Sarah Sugden (played by Katie Hall) given life-changing news following hospital tests. Her diagnosis of cervical cancer spearheads Emmerdale's most recent emotive storyline, which affects around 3,300 women every year in the UK. Cervical cancer is most commonly diagnosed in women between 30-34 years old, however, it can occur at any age, and the storyline highlights the importance of early detection and symptom awareness. In 2023-24, 5.12 million women in England aged between 25-64 were due a Cervical Cancer Screening, however only 3.25 million women were tested. The Lady Garden Foundation, is on a mission to significantly reduce the number of missed appointments through education, open conversation and research alongside The Royal Marsden Hospital. Almost half of women are intentionally putting off important cervical screenings despite 83 per cent also saying they believe they prevent cervical cancer, according to independent research commissioned by the foundation. Research conducted by the charity uncovered that embarrassment was the leading factor as to why cervical screenings were being purposely skipped, with more than one in ten claiming they have put it off due to forgetting to wax or shave beforehand. The NHS cervical screening programme offers testing to women between the ages of 25 and 64. More than five million women are invited for cervical screening each year in England. Approximately 1 in 20 women will have an abnormal screening result meaning high risk HPV is detected in the sample. This does not mean that all women with an abnormal test will develop cervical cancer. Early treatment and increased monitoring can prevent these cervical changes from developing into cancer. Co-founder and Chair of The Lady Garden Foundation Jenny Halpern Prince MBE said: 'The latest storyline in Emmerdale is an authentic portrayal of the journeys many women face each year in the UK and will hopefully spark national conversation, encouraging women to be made aware of the symptoms and the preventative measures to take to protect themselves and their loved ones. "It's vital that mainstream soaps like Emmerdale tackle these real life issues, opening up the dialogue to make people aware of the symptoms and benefits of early detection. 'We set up the Lady Garden Foundation in 2014 to help fund groundbreaking research into the five gynaecological cancers. Over the last 10 years, the foundation has grown as we aim to educate women and girls of all ages to understand the signs of gynae cancers whilst breaking the taboos.' John Butler, Consultant Gynaecological Oncology Surgeon at The Royal Marsden and Medical Director of The Lady Garden Foundation said: 'Cervical cancer is almost entirely preventable due to vaccination in school-age children and regular attendance at the screening programme. It is unlikely that women will develop cervical cancer if they have had their vaccination and regularly attend for cervical screening. If they develop abnormal symptoms such as bleeding after intercourse, bleeding between the periods, pelvic pain, abnormal vaginal discharge or bleeding after menopause, it's important to get checked out as these can indicate there is a problem. "If women are diagnosed with cervical cancer, they will be managed by a group of highly trained professionals who will review the biopsy, arrange appropriate scans and plan the best treatment. The cancer team and specialist nurses are points of contact to help you every step of the way. Please encourage all women to attend for their cervical screening and those between 11 and 25 attend for HPV vaccination. "The good news is that if we can increase vaccination and screening attendance rates cervical cancer could be eradicated in the future.'
