Dr Amir Khan

That causes over 99% of cervical cancer.

So there's lots of different types, but we're looking for the specific ones that can cause cervical cancer.

If...

that is present, then we'll go on to look for abnormal cells as well.

But most people, if they don't have that HPV virus, haemopapilloma virus, then that's it.

That's the end of it.

We don't need to do anything until the next cervical screening is done.

So the human papillomavirus, the specific strains that put you at risk, release proteins.

And these proteins suppress part of our body's immune system that helps protect us against cancer.

So we've got tumour suppressor cells in our body that help kind of mop up damaged DNA and stop mutations from happening.

These viruses stop them from doing their job and they delay that DNA repair.

So when you've got damaged DNA, a random mutation could then take place, which is then cancer.

So that is why it's really important that we screen for this.

You can, but it's 0.3% of the cervical cancer.

So the chances is very small.

The HPV vaccine is amazing.

It's given to young people.

Usually, I'm not very good at school years, but it's year eight, which is 12 to 13.

I can't bear school years.

Year 12.