HPV Vaccine for under 26 year olds ???

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I have been thinking about getting the HPV vaccine as I'm under 26 and meet the criteria for it
Have found a company which offer this called the hpv centre for £450
Any thoughts/ comments/ advice anyone had the vaccine ?
Thanks

hardpressed

Have you asked your surgery if they can do it for you as a private patient, is necessary?

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Will check and see if they can do it!!

WolfSong2000

You have to be under 18 or 21 or something before your GP can do it...I'm 22 and fit the criteria, but my GP told me I'm "too old" by government standards for the programme...he seemed irritated by this and told me it was contravening my human rights, as I was still technically a suitable candidate for the vaccine...

Anyhow, still haven't got it as don't have the money to pay for it privately, being a student...I suppose if I asked my parents, they'd pay for it, but I'm annoyed at having to when it's being given for free to people who aren't suitable, just because they're younger than me!

Glamazon

The government is only allowing practices to vaccinate certain patients - those born between 31st August 1991 and 1st September 1993. We have to obtain vaccines from the PCT and can only get them for patients on 'the list'.

The vaccines are expensive which is why they are only allowing certain patients to have it. It's about £80 per vaccine and each patient needs 3 doses. We haven't discussed the option of providing it privately yet as no-one has asked.

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To be honest I think it would be money well spent, (although Ive only found places that do it for £150 per vaccine)
I've done research online and the vaccine is licensed for women up to 26 yrs old, although not free for my age group (23), I think I will book an appointment to discuss it with my gp and see if they can refer me to somewhere where I can get it done privately!

SparkyG

I would say to anyone under 26 who is sexually active (or intends to be!) have the vaccine - pay for it if necessary.

It's not only Jade Goody who developed cervical cancer at a young age, I did too, despite the government's wonderful advice that smear tests should only start at age 25.

In 1978 I was 23 and pregnant with my 2nd child when a smear test (they took them routinely in early pregnancy in those days) showed abnormal changes. I was offered an abortion but turned it down, and was told to have another test after the baby was born.

6 years previously at age 17, when I first became sexually active with my fiancee, we both developed genital warts. The link between HPV and cervical cancer had not been discovered at that stage, so we were both sent off to the STD clinic to be treated. Very unpleasant at the time, but once the warts were gone we thought no more about it.

After my 2nd baby was born, being young and ignorant (and very busy with a baby and a toddler) I didn't bother going back for a smear test, and it wasn't until a year later that my GP picked it up. By that time, age 25, I had Cin 111, or Carcinoma in situ. This means that the cancer cells are contained on the surface layer of the cervix, and have not invaded the lower layers. I had a cone biopsy to remove the cells and frequent follow up smear tests. All has been well since. The advice given to me by my consultant at the time was to have smear tests anually, indefinitely.

After 10 years the GPs decided that it wasn't necessary anually, against the consultant's advice (because there was no government funding for it) so I paid to have the test -just the lab fee, which was done by the practice nurse.

Now I am 'old' at 54 (according to the government) regular smear test are only available every 5 years, although I will continue to pay anually for mine.

for those who are interested, especially older women who have been treated for Cin 111 in the past, take a look at this evidence from the BMJ: http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/bmj.39363.471806.BEv1

I hope my story helps some of you. If I had not had a smear test until age 25, I probably would not be here now enjoying my life and 3 gorgeous grandchildren.

Don't listen to government guidelines. They are just about 'best value' and not always best advice!!!

funky_snow

Am just off to check on Google - but if you are at all sexually active - even just once then i think may not be able to have the vaccine.
HPV is very common - and transmission can't be prevented by condoms - its skin to skin transmission - which is why i believe its being offered to young girls before they have had any exposure - otherwise its a waste of vaccine...

good luck though in trying to find out if you can get it (speaking as someone who has HPV and CIN - but fortunately now in the system...)

funky_snow

This page tells you about HPV
http://www.jotrust.co.uk/about_cervical_cancer/hpv.cfm

This one about the vaccine
http://www.jotrust.co.uk/about_cervical_cancer/hpv_vaccines.cfm

I trust this source of info - Jo's trust is a great charity that looks at cervical cancer and are behind claire's message - a campaign to lower age for smear test screening - and also support the rollout of the vaccine.
Sorry doesn't give specifics of how you get the vaccine - but good information about what it is exactly...

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Thanks am going to have a look on the Jos trust website now

WolfSong2000

worth mentioning that in Scotland, the age of getting cervical smears is lower...about 21 I think. I've been putting it off as I'm not (nor have I ever been) sexually active, despite being 22...not that the GP seemed to believe me. lol.

I was under the impression that you really only need to go for a cervical smear if you're sexually active, but as cancer runs in my family, and I'm fighting a battle right now to get two possible cancerous moles removed, I may just go and get one anyhow, just to be on the safe side!