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Head and neck cancer group welcomes Pharmac decision

Head and neck cancer group welcomes Pharmac decision


The Pharmac decision to broaden the Gardasil vaccination and offer it free to boys is being welcomed by a head and neck cancer support network.

The vaccine offers immunisation against the HPV virus which causes cervical cancer in women but is also responsible for most throat cancer, especially in men.

Head and Neck Cancer Survivors, Support Network spokesperson Maureen Jansen says head and neck cancer cases have been increasing in New Zealand and the decision to extend the vaccination regime will help reverse that trend.

``The Pharmac announcement coming only one day after World Head and Neck Cancer Day is great news.’’

Extending the vaccination programme to include boys has been one of the main objectives of the Head and Neck Cancer Survivors Network since it was established only last year.

It became an incorporated society last month.

She says there are several other projects her group is working on such as establishing support programmes for survivors and their families and lobbying for subsidised dental care, but the vaccination news is hugely welcome.

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