In response to today's announcement that the cervical cancer vaccine Cervarix, has been approved by the European Commission, the cancer information charity Cancerbackup issues the following:

"We welcome this decision on a vaccine to prevent the HPV virus, which is a significant risk factor for developing cervical cancer," says Stuart Danskin, Cancerbackup Senior Nurse. "Vaccinating against the virus may mean that the majority of cervical cancers could be prevented in the future and we look forward to a national vaccination programme being introduced."

1) Cancerbackup is the only national charity that specialises in providing information on all types of cancer.

2) All Cancerbackup services are free to cancer patients, their relatives and friends.

3) Cancerbackup Centres can be found in St Bartholomew's Hospital, Charing Cross Hospital, the London Clinic, The Christie Hospital, Ipswich Hospital, Nottingham University Hospitals, Coventry's University Hospital and Jersey. The charity's website can be found at cancerbackup 4) Cancerbackup, as a charity, receives 54% of its funding from individuals, 11% from charitable trusts, 5% from grants, 14% from companies, 2% from investments and 14% from its trading company. Pharmaceutical companies contributed 9% of the total 2005/06 income.

5) In April 2006 Cancerbackup changed its name from CancerBACUP, so that the charity's name better represents the service the charity provides: information, understanding and support to anyone affected by cancer.

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