Boys in school year 8 will be offered the HPV vaccine for the first time

Year 8 boys are to be offered free HPV vaccines for the first time from September, a move that could prevent over 100,000 cancers. Worldwide, about 5% of all cancers are linked to the HPV virus. This includes cervical, penile, anal and genital cancers and some cancers of the head and neck €“ all of which the vaccine helps to protect against. Cervical cancer is currently the most common cancer in women under 35, killing around 850 women each year. HPV is thought to be responsible for over 99% of cervical cancers, as well as 90% of anal, about 70% of vaginal and vulvar