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May 1, 2008 MANITOBA UNVEILS PROVINCEWIDE HPV IMMUNIZATION INITIATIVE– – –Expanded Cervical Cancer Strategy Includes More Public Awareness, New Investments in Cervical Cancer Research: Irvin-Ross Manitoba will implement a provincewide voluntary human papillomavirus (HPV) immunization program this fall as part of a package of new investments aimed at helping protect women from developing cervical cancer, Healthy Living Minister Kerri Irvin-Ross announced today.
“We know that with effective screening and prevention, cancer of the cervix is one of the most preventable cancers,” said Irvin-Ross. “That’s why we’re making new investments today to further strengthen cervical cancer prevention in Manitoba.”
The province will invest funds from the HPV vaccine trust announced by the federal government last year to implement a provincewide voluntary immunization program to provide Manitoba girls with protection from four preventable types of HPV. Immunizations will be offered to girls in Grade 6, before most girls are exposed to the virus. A total of $10.8 million will be invested in the program over the next three years.
The province also announced today it will invest more than $250,000 to undertake research on cervical cancer immunization programs at the International Centre for Infectious Diseases. The centre will use the funding to develop a secretariat that will support researchers studying the effectiveness of cervical cancer immunization programs.
The new funding will also support connecting researchers more efficiently to spur research exchange and foster collaboration on a broad range of projects related to cervical cancer prevention. Funding for the secretariat is being provided through Manitoba Science, Technology, Energy and Mines and the Manitoba Research and Innovation Fund.
Building on the Manitoba Cervical Cancer Screening Program, unveiled in 2001, provincial public awareness programs are also being expanded, the minister said.
While vaccination is effective, women will continue to require screening with Pap tests to effectively screen and help prevent cervical cancer.
“Immunization has the potential to reduce one of the key risk factors – exposure to viruses associated with this disease – but it is not a substitute for vigilant efforts to detect cancer early through screening,” said Dr. Dhali Dhaliwal, president and chief executive officer of CancerCare Manitoba. “Using a combined and concerted approach which includes immunization, screening and education, we can virtually eliminate deaths from cervical cancer.”
HPV is a common virus with more than 100 types. Many men and women may become infected with HPV at some point in their lives. Some types of HPV have been shown to cause cervical cancer as a result of sexual contact. The vaccine provides protection from two high-risk types of HPV that are linked to cervical cancer and two low-risk types of the virus that are linked to warts.
Over time, abnormal cells in the cervix can grow and develop into cervical cancer. A Pap test is a simple test in which a sample of cells are taken and examined at a laboratory. If abnormal cells are discovered, a woman’s health-care provider will arrange for further testing or treatment to prevent cervical cancer from developing.
The Manitoba Cervical Cancer Screening Program works to provide high-quality cancer screening services for Manitoba women. The new funding will be used to improve access and increase awareness for women to be screened for cervical cancer by sending information to encourage women to visit their health-care provider to have a Pap test.
“Effective prevention and sound science means reducing the risk of cervical cancer and ultimately, saving lives,” said Irvin-Ross. “By investing in research, screening and prevention we are taking a comprehensive approach to reducing the number of cases of cervical cancer diagnosed in Manitoba.”
There are an estimated 45 cases of cervical cancer diagnosed each year in the province, with 15 deaths related to the disease. More information on HPV and the vaccine is available at www.gov.mb.ca/health/hpv.
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