Update on HPV

In the last year further evidence has emerged about the extraordinary effectiveness and safety of the vaccination against the high risk HPV viruses and the possible extended role of the vaccine in preventing cervical cancer in older women. It appears that women who are already sexually active,but have not been affected by the high risk HPVs, can benefit from a course of Gardasil or Cervarix. It is also worth considering vaccinating women already treated for precancer (or significant abnormal smears), as this has been shown to reduce the chances of a recurrent problem.

In summary, therefore, it is not just the teenagers who will benefit from HPV vaccinations. Many older women can enjoy increased protection if the vaccination is appropriate. A simple HPV test is all that is required. It is exactly the same procedure as a smear and is often done at the same time.

Reducing deaths from childbirth.

In the last year I spent the most extraordinary month of my career working as a volunteer in a Maternity Hospital in Gimbie, Ethiopia with a charity called Maternity Worldwide.

Until the charity began supporting Maternity services, the death rate for pregnancy was 1 in 16 (6%). It has now been reduced to an average of 1 in a hundred. In UK it is less than 1 in ten thousand! I am keen to go again, but this time with a team to try and do some training and improve the local facilities. I am also trying to train a midwife as the hospital has only one at the moment (compared with 150 at the Chelsea and Westminster).

If you are interested in further information please look at www.maternityworldwide.org and follow my story. Alternatively, please go to www.justgiving.com/Roger-Marwood. Thank you.