Cancer vaccine proves popular
Around 70 per cent of parents are willing for their teenage daughters to take a new vaccine that prevents cervical cancer, a pilot study has suggested.
Researchers from the University of Manchester found that the overwhelming majority of adults backed the drive to stop the spread of the human papilloma virus (HPV), a sexually transmitted infection.
Lack of information and fears over long-term safety were cited as major factors by parents who rejected the vaccine.
The HPV jab will be offered to 12 and 13-year-old girls from September as part of an annual £100 million programme designed to reduce deaths from the disease.
HPV is the main cause of cervical cancer, which leads to over 1,000 deaths in Britain every year.
Health Secretary Alan Johnson claimed the new programme could save up to 400 lives annually when it was launched last October.
Young girls are expected to receive the vaccination in three doses over six-months.
The Insurance Helpline specialises in obtaining cover for people living with cancer.
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