Prescribing the facts on the HPV vaccine is necessary

Robert O’Connor outlines why some parents refuse to allow their daughters take a vaccine to help prevent cervical cancer and explains why they should change their minds.

As head of research with the Irish Cancer Society, I am used to talking with cancer researchers about the studies we fund and the advances they make in terms of cancer prevention, early detection, treatment, and survivorship.

But this past few weeks have been different, as I’ve had the opportunity to discuss with the general public the facts behind one of the most significant advances in modern cancer research: The development of a vaccine that can substantially reduce the instances of cervical cancer among women.