HOME | TERMS & CONDITIONS | SITEMAP & ACCESSIBILITY | CONTACT
© Medicentre 2010 - 2013 and others where indicated. Medicentre recognises and acknowledges the ownership of all trademarks and product names where mentioned.
General Medical Clinics Ltd. Registered Office 242 Marylebone Road, London NW1 6JL. Tel 020 7427 0605

WHAT IS THE VALUE OF A CERVICAL SMEAR TEST?

Screening is one of the best defences against cervical cancer and can result in the prevention of about 75 per cent of cancer cases in women who are screened on a regular basis – three years is the recommended period.
It is estimated that screening saves over 1,000 lives in the UK every year, although the tragic fact is that some 1,500 women still succumb to cervical cancer annually. Medicentre offers a cervical smear screening service with results available within a week.

VACCINATION
We also provide vaccinations – both Cervarix and Gardasil – which provide protection against the high-risk strains of HPV responsible for around 70% of incidents of cervical cancer.

WHAT IS HPV?

HPV stands for Human Papilloma Virus – a very common virus that can infect the skin and the moist membranes of the body, including the mouth and throat, the cervix and the anus.

There are more than 100 types of HPV and they are the most common sexually transmitted infection. Around 80% of sexually active women can expect to have an HPV infection at some point in their lives. Some forms of the HP virus cause only genital warts (known as low risk HPV), but others cause cancers including that of the neck of the womb or cervix.

WHY VACCINATE?

Trials have shown a vaccination can offer 100% protection against HPV strains 16 & 18 which are linked to about 70% of cervical cancers. About 3,000 women are diagnosed with this type of cancer every year in the UK. However, even if vaccinated, women still need to be screened for cervical cancer. This is because the vaccines do not prevent infection with all types of HPV, and it can take anything from 10 to 20 years after HPV infection for cervical cancer to develop.

WHO SHOULD BE IMMUNISED?

Following advice from medical experts, the government now offers the vaccination to all girls aged 12 or 13 in the UK, and a 'catch up' programme was recently instituted for girls up to 18. The idea is to give it to children before they become sexually active and can catch HPV.

However a great many women have not been vaccinated, and considering the fact that the vaccinations can substantially reduce the risk of cancer, medical experts and cancer charities are unanimous in their advice to get screened regularly and to have the vaccination.

HOW LONG IS THE COURSE OF TREATMENT
AND HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?

Patients need to take a course of three injections over a six months period. The three step programme works like this: Initial consultation and first vaccination The second vaccination is administered two months later  Four months after the second vaccination,  the final one is administered (so the last injection is administrated six months after the initial consultation)

This three step course costs just £450, inclusive of all three vaccinations and consultation charges. You can pay £150 per visit.

Please note that it is very important to complete the three-dose vaccination course; otherwise the person to be vaccinated may not be fully protected.

ARE THERE ANY SIDE EFFECTS?

Like all vaccines and medicines Cervarix and Gardasil can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.

Most common side effects, found at the injection site included: some pain, swelling, redness, bleeding and itching. Fever has also been seen.

In the rare event of any of these, or other, side effects becoming serious then you should contact your doctor. You should also let your doctor or nurse know if the person being vaccinated is taking or has recently taken any others medicines, including medicines obtained without a prescription.

COULD THE VACCINE OFFER ANY OTHER BENEFITS?

Experts are investigating whether it could protect against other cancers linked with HPV, such as anal and penile cancer.

There are also ongoing trials to see how well the vaccination works in people who are HIV-positive, because this population is particularly susceptible to HPV-related diseases.

HOW DO I BOOK MY VACCINATION?

To find out more or to book your course of Cervarix or Gardasil contact us on 0207 510 0300 or via the contact screen.

You are in Home > Health Screening > Cervical Health

Allergies & Hayfever
Always inconvenient, but
can be life-threatening.
Medicentre is on the case!

Health Checks
We check our cars every year, but how often do we go in for an MOT?

Need an Ear Irrigation?
It can make such a huge
difference. Read all about
it right here.