Written answers

Wednesday, 29 July 2020

Photo of Aindrias MoynihanAindrias Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

292. To ask the Minister for Health his plans for the elimination of HPV-related cancers; the strategies that will need to be implemented in the coming twelve months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19360/20]

Photo of Stephen DonnellyStephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Government’s goal is to bring about the eradication of HPV-related cancers in Ireland.  A well organised screening programme, when combined with HPV vaccination for boys and girls, will help to achieve that goal. The Programme for Government commits to supporting the CervicalCheck Screening Programme and promoting the uptake of the HPV vaccine.

In 2009, the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) recommended HPV (human papillomavirus) vaccination for all 12 to 13 year old girls to reduce their risk of developing cervical cancer when they are adults. In September 2010, the HPV vaccination programme was introduced for all girls in the first year of secondary school. 

The NIAC recommended that the HPV vaccine should also be given to boys. On foot of NIAC’s recommendation, my Department asked the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) to undertake a health technology assessment (HTA) to establish the clinical and cost-effectiveness of extending the current immunisation programme to include boys in the first year of secondary school. HIQA completed the HTA in December 2018, recommending that the HPV immunisation programme be extended to include boys. A policy decision was made to extend the HPV immunisation programme to include boys. This started in September 2019 with the introduction of a 9-valent HPV vaccine. 

In relation to cancer screening, CervicalCheck made the technical transition to HPV cervical screening on 30 March 2020. This means that any test taken after this date is an HPV cervical screening test with follow-up cytology if required.

The move to HPV Cervical Screening means that Ireland joins a small group of nations that employs the best-in-class testing to screen their populations for cervical cancer.  Other countries include Australia, England, the Netherlands and Wales.

This improved testing methodology, along with the continued roll-out of HPV vaccinations, means that Ireland can look forward to a significant reduction in the incidence of cervical cancer cases over the next 10-20 years.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.