Vaccination against cervical cancer

The Netherlands has had a successful cervical cancer screening programme for several decades. Women between the ages of thirty and sixty are checked for the disease or its precursors, with a view to providing treatment as early as possible in appropriate cases. Recently, however, vaccines have come onto the market, which can be used to prevent cervical cancer – one of the more common forms of cancer in women.
It has been known for some time that persistent infection by human papilloma virus (HPV) is responsible for cervical cancer. HPV is transmitted by sexual contact; most women acquire HPV infections, most of them without any untoward consequences. However, a small percentage of women who become infected go on to develop pre-cancerous conditions and in a small proportion of these women, the pre-cancerous conditions lead to cervical cancer. The vaccines now available prevent the development of the precursors of cervical cancer, and thus are likely to prevent the cancer itself. The use of such vaccines would therefore enable primary prevention, to complement the existing early detection and early treatment activities.

Committee

• Prof. J. van der Noordaa, Emeritus Professor of Virology, University of Amsterdam, chairman
• Dr. A. Ansink, gynaecologist/oncologist, Erasmus University Medical Centre, Rotterdam
• Dr. M. van Ballegooijen, physician-epidemiologist, Erasmus University Medical Centre, Rotterda, advisor
• Prof. I.D. de Beaufort, Professor of Health Ethics, Erasmus University Medical Centre, Rotterdam
• Prof. P.J.E. Bindels, Professor of General Practice, Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam
• Prof. J.T. van Dissel, Professor of Internal Medicine/Infectious Disease, Leiden University Medical Centre
• Dr. P.G.H. Janssen, GP, Netherlands Association of General Practitioners, Utrecht, advisor
• Prof. G.G. Kenter, Professor of Oncological Gynaecology, Leiden University Medical Centre
• Prof. M.E.E. Kretzschmar, theoretical epidemiologist, RIVM, University Utrecht, advisor
• Prof. C.J.L.M. Meijer, Professor of Pathology, VU University Medical Centre, Amsterdam, advisor
• Prof. C. Melief, Professor of Immune-Haematology, Leiden University Medical Centre
• Dr. H.E. de Melker, epidemiologist, Centre for Infectious Disease Control, Bilthoven
• Dr. W.G.V. Quint, molecular biologist, DDL Diagnostic Laboratory, Voorburg, advisor
• A. Rendering LL.M, Screening and Population Research Cluster, Public Health Directorate, Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport, The Hague, advisor
• Dr. T.G.J. van Rossum, physician, Medicines Evaluation Board, The Hague, advisor
• Prof. E.A.M. Sanders, Professor of Immunology and Infections, University of Utrecht
• W.A. van Veen, physician, Health Council, The Hague, advisor
• Dr. H.J.C. de Vries, dermatologist, Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam
• Dr. K. Groeneveld, medical immunologist, Health Council, The Hagu, scientific secretary
• Dr. H. Houweling, physician-epidemiologist, Health Council, The Hague, scientific secretary