Early school-leavers failing to get cervical cancer jab

MORE than 80 per cent of girls who leave school early are putting themselves at risk of cervical cancer in the Lothians.

Figures released today by Health Protection Scotland have shown only 17 per cent of teenagers who left school at the ages of 16 and 17 have received all three rounds of the HPV vaccine.

That is despite uptake of the potentially life-saving jab having increased to impressive levels among schools in the fight to reduce rates of the disease. However, the failure of girls in full-time employment or college to sign up for the inoculation is causing concern for health chiefs.

The human papilloma virus causes around 70 per cent of cervical cancer cases, and it remains one of the greatest health risks to females.

NHS Lothian said previously it would work more closely with GPs and colleges to persuade girls who didn't get the injection at school to come forward for it now.