A WOMAN who suffered cervical cancer has praised Government plans to vaccinate girls against a cause of of the disease as part of a £100million prevention programme.

Girls aged 12 to 13 will receive the jab from September to prevent the sexually transmitted infection, human papillomavirus which causes around 70 per cent of cases of cervical cancer.

Mandie Nicholl, 38, a pole dancing teacher who lives in Princes Street, Southend, has suffered from cervical cancer since the age of 21 She said: "It is fantastic news there is something out there that can help prevent cervical cancer.

"If more people are made aware of this then more women will go and have the vaccine.

"When I discovered I had it I was shocked and frightened, but I was lucky for it not to have reached the stage where I needed chemotherapy.

Mrs Nicholl, who has undergone laser surgery to treat her cancer, said the age of the girls receiving the vaccine may be a concern for some parents.

She said: "I am a modern mum, but I think there may be a bit of uproar because the vaccines are targeting young girls against a sexually transmitted disease."

However, a study published in the British Medical Journal suggested the main reason parents feared their children having the jab was a lack of information on its safety.

Only a few parents raised the age for vaccination or the possible effect on teenage sexual behaviour as a concern.

The results also suggested that around 70 per cent of girls would take the jab A Department of Health spokesman said: "Being able to protect girls against cervical cancer is a tremendous opportunity. This vaccine will save lives, and reduce the number of women who need to be treated against the early stages of this disease."