The Public Health Agency (PHA) in Northern Ireland is promoting HPV vaccination and cervical screening ahead of International Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Awareness Day on 4 March.

The HPV vaccine is offered as a single dose to children in year 9 at school via consent forms sent to parents. It protects against HPV-related cancers, including over 90% of cervical cancers, and genital warts. Individuals eligible but unvaccinated in school can receive it free until age 25 through their GP.

Cervical cancer screening is available to women aged 25-64 in Northern Ireland, offered every three years for ages 25-49 and every five years for ages 50-64. The test checks cervical cells for high-risk HPV and abnormal changes.

Dr Joanne McClean, PHA Director of Public Health, stated that HPV affects about eight in ten people, typically spread through skin-to-skin contact during sexual activity, and usually clears without symptoms but can persist and lead to cancer in some cases.

The PHA emphasises that high uptake of vaccination and screening programmes can reduce cervical cancer rates towards zero. Information on HPV-related cancer symptoms is available at www.becancerawareni.info/signs-and-symptoms.

Further details are provided on PHA websites, with the agency located at 12-22 Linenhall Street, Belfast.