Father Urges HPV Vaccination After Daughter's Cancer Death

Following the death of Rhian Griffiths from cervical cancer at age 25, her father Wayne is urging young people, both boys and girls, to receive the HPV vaccine to protect themselves from cancer. The HPV vaccine is routinely offered to children aged 12 to 13 in the UK and has been shown to provide long-lasting protection against high-risk strains of the virus that can cause cervical, head and neck, genital, and anal cancers. Public Health Wales emphasizes the vaccine's safety and effectiveness, noting that while most HPV infections clear naturally, some can lead to cancer or genital warts. Despite being available to both genders, boys are less likely than girls to receive the vaccine, even though certain HPV-related cancers are more common in men. Wayne Griffiths and Public Health Wales encourage parents to support vaccination, stressing there are no disadvantages and that it could save lives. The vaccine remains available as a catch-up for eligible young people up to their 25th birthday.