Spire Washington Hospital now offers a cervical cancer vaccine that protects young women from most forms of cervical cancer. Doctors have welcomed the vaccines introduction as they believe it could save the lives of thousands of women.
Every year 3,000 new cases of cervical cancer are diagnosed in Britain and three women under the age of 44 die from the disease every day.
The vaccine protects against the human papilloma virus(HPV), has to be given before a woman is sexually active for it to be effective.
Consultant gynaecologist Mr Craig Steele says, "The Gardasil vaccine is a huge step forward in the fight to protect women from cervical cancer."
Although usual screening should be continued, Gardasil helps protect against four types of human papilloma virus. Two of these cause 70% of cervical cancer cases with the other two causing 90% of genital warts.
The vaccine is administered in a course of three doses over a period of six months. The price of the Gardasil vaccine is £360 and this price includes an initial consultation with a consultant gynaecologist, and the three injections.
Arranging an appointment is easy, simply ring Spire Washington Hospital's out-patient appointments team on 0191 418 8636 or 418 8664.