A Vaccine to treat the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is under evaluation in phase 3 clinical trials that involve more than 30,000 women worldwide. This virus is also known as the wart virus and is the main cause of cervical cancer. The vaccine has demonstrated sustained protection against the main strains (HPV-16 and HPV-18) of this virus with no evidence of waning protection. The vaccine is called “Cervarix” and has shown 100% effectiveness!

There are still many questions that need to be answered once this vaccine is released which is expected at the end of this year. At what age do women get the vaccine? It is most effective if given to women before they become sexually active. Do we offer it at age 12, 14, 16 years old? Should boys get the vaccine as well? Their risk of getting genital cancer is not as great as women, but they can transmit the virus without knowing they even have it.

Stay tuned as more research becomes available.

A vaccine with the potential to slash worldwide deaths from cervical cancer, the No. 2 cancer killer in women, should be approved for sales in the United States, a federal panel said Thursday. A Food and Drug Administration advisory committee voted 13-0 to endorse the safety and effectiveness of Merck & Co.’s Gardasil, which blocks viruses that cause cervical cancer. The company said the vaccine could cut worldwide deaths from the disease by two-thirds. A drug company hopes to win federal approval…

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