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Cervical cancer: the vital message

The HPV vaccine protects against two strains of the human papilloma virus, which are the two commonest causes of cervical cancer. North of the border, the lifetime risk of a woman developing cervical cancer is one in 124, despite an extensive screening programme. In 2004, 282 new cases of cervical cancer were diagnosed and 102 women died of the disease.

The vaccine is to be offered from September, to girls aged 12 and 13 in every Scottish school, and to pupils in S5 and S6 as part of a "catch-up" programme.

Some parents have also expressed concern that the vaccine - which in essence protects against a sexually transmitted disease - would encourage promiscuity.

The Catholic Church in Scotland was reported last year to oppose routine immunisation. However if that was ever true, it is not now.

Ronnie Convery, spokesman for Archbishop Mario Conti, says Catholic schools will be actively participating: "My understanding is that it is greatly to be encouraged. It is not an encouragement to promiscuity - it can strike anyone," he added.

Full story at The Herald.