Since September 2008 there has been a national programme to vaccinate girls aged 12-13 against human papilloma virus (HPV).
There is also a three-year catch up campaign that will offer the HPV vaccine (also known as the cervical cancer jab) to 13-18 year old girls.
The programme is delivered largely through secondary schools, and consists of three injections that are given over a six-month period.
In the UK, more than 1.4 million doses have been given since the vaccination programme started.
Human papilloma virus (HPV)
Human papilloma virus (HPV) is the name of a family of viruses that affect the skin and the moist membranes that line your body, such as those in your cervix, anus, mouth and throat. These membranes are called the mucosa.
There are more than 100 different types of HPV viruses, with about 40 types affecting the genital area. These are classed as high risk and low risk.
What HPV infection can do
Infection with some types of HPV can cause abnormal tissue growth and other changes to cells, which can lead to cervical cancer. Infection with other forms of HPV can also cause genital warts.
Other types of HPV infection can cause minor problems, such as common skin warts and verrucas.
Around 30 types of HPV are transmitted through sexual contact, including those that can cause cervical cancer and genital warts. Genital warts are the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the UK.
HPV infection is also linked to vaginal cancer and vulval cancer, although both are rare conditions.
Cervical screening
In the UK, cervical cancer is the twelfth most common women's cancer. Worldwide, it is the second most common. In the UK, a woman's lifetime risk of developing cervical cancer is about one in 116 (0.86%).
Cancer of the cervix usually takes 10-20 years to develop. In the UK, more than 1,000 women die from cervical cancer each year.
Cervical screening picks up abnormalities in about 200,000 women a year, and around 2,800 women a year are diagnosed with cervical cancer.
Regular cervical screening is the best way to identify abnormal changes in the cells of the cervix. Following the introduction of the national HPV vaccination programme, the NHS cervical screening programme will continue to play an important part in checking women who are between 25-65 years of age for early-stage cell changes.
Vaccination
Vaccination or immunisation is usually given by an injection that makes the body's immune system produce antibodies that will fight off a virus.
Joint
Joints are the connection point between two bones that allow movement.
Cervix
The cervix is at the lower end of the womb. It connects the womb with the vagina.
Anus
The anus is the opening at the end of the digestive system where solid waste leaves the body.
Tissue
Body tissue is made up of groups of cells that perform a specific job, such as protecting the body against infection, producing movement or storing fat.
Cervical smear tests
During a cervical screening test a sample of cells from a woman’s cervix is taken and examined for abnormalities.
