London: Girls as young as 10 should be vaccinated against cervical cancer, a leading professor said today.
A London medical conference was told that inoculations are being developed to protect women against the sexually transmitted virus that causes 70 per cent of cases.
And the best time to administer it will be when girls reach puberty.
Professor Henry Kitchener said it is vital to protect girls before they become sexually active.
He added: "Vaccination should not be misconstrued as a green light for sexually permissive behaviour."
He said it was just an effective means of prevention when "young women are most susceptible."
Up to 3,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer in the UK each year.
