Cervical Cancer Vaccine Could Save Nearly 193,333 Lives A Year

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Main Category: Sexual Health / STDs
Also Included In: Women's Health / Gynecology;  Cancer / Oncology
Article Date: 18 May 2006 - 9:00 PDT

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It is estimated that 290,000 women die of cervical cancer globally each year. If Gardasil could reduce deaths by two-thirds, as Merck claims, this would mean 193,333 women's lives saved each year. In order to be effective, Merck says it would be best to vaccinate girls before they are likely to become sexually active.

Gardasil, a vaccine, prevents infection of four types of HPV (human papillomavirus). Two of them, types 16 and 18, are responsible for the development of over two-thirds of all cervical cancers. The other two types are responsible for most genital warts.

Merck says this could be the biggest cervical cancer prevention leap since the PAP test.

Today, an FDA Adisory Panel must decide whether or not to recommend Gardasil for approval. The Panel does not approve new drugs, it just recommends whether or not they should be approved. The FDA itself approves or declines drug applications. However, the FDA usually does what the Panel recommends. A decision on Gardasil is expected on 8 June.

HPV is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) and is present in about half of all sexually active adults.

If people who are already HPV infected take the vaccine and their immune systems have not cleared the virus from their systems, their risk of having a cancer precursor is higher. Five women who had the vaccine at about the same time as they became pregnant (conception) went on to have babies with birth defects.

The vaccine will not be cheap. A course of three injections over a six month period will cost from $300 to $500.

Written by: Christian Nordqvist
Editor: Medical News Today


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