The government is considering the possibility of introducing a nationwide vaccine to prevent the spread of a virus which causes cervical cancer.

This will be part of the national cancer plan launched by Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi this morning.

The five year plan will cost over €10 million and starts this year.

Public health consultant Natasha Muscat Azzopardi said that the human pappilloma virus has been revealed to cause cervical cancer.

The government’s plan is to introduce the vaccine programme as from 2012 targeting 11 to 16 year olds before they become sexually active.

As from 2014, the plan is to also have a cervical cancer screening programme for women over 20.

Screening of colorectal cancer would be offered from 2012 when 60 to 64 year olds will be invited to be screened to identify whether they had this caner.

Dr Gonzi said that the focus of the plan will stress prevention and the importance of leading a healthy lifestyle.

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