Gardasil: Dealing cervical cancer a knockout blow

Washington, DC

For the first time, a doctor's arsenal now includes a vaccine that can actually prevent cancer.

Gardasil targets human papillomavirus, or HPV, which causes virtually all cases of cervical cancer and is present in one in four American women.

And health-care providers are beginning to integrate that vaccine into the schedule of other immunizations that children receive during childhood and adolescence.

About 13 million doses of the vaccine have been distributed globally since its approval in June 2006, said Kelley Dougherty, director of public affairs for Merck & Co., the company that created Gardasil. Of those, 10.5 million doses have been distributed in the United States.

"We estimate between 3 to 5 million girls have been vaccinated with Gardasil, but that is a very rough estimate," Dougherty said.

The American Cancer Society estimates that 11,150 new cases of invasive cervical cancer were diagnosed in the United States in 2007, and 3,670 women died from the disease.

Cervical cancer used to be one of the most common causes of cancer death for U.S. women, but the death rate declined by 74 percent between 1955 and 1992. That was largely due to increased use of the Pap test, which can detect cellular changes in the cervix before cancer develops, the cancer society says.

"Women for so many years have heard the message that they need Pap tests, it's almost equivalent to seeing a gynecologist," said Debbie Saslow, director of breast and gynecologic cancers for the American Cancer Society. "I think for breast exams, many women wait for their doctor to recommend it, whereas for the Pap test, they're more likely to go get one."

The death rate from cervical cancer continues to decline by almost 4 percent a year, thanks to the Pap test.

But doctors now believe they are poised to deal cervical cancer a knockout blow, thanks to the HPV vaccine. More >>

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Free Gardasil HPV vaccine to Missouri girls, women

Missouri

The Missouri Foundation for Health is offering free vaccines to protect Missouri women against cancer causing strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV).

The vaccine is offered in various counties in the Heartland.

The vaccine is available to uninsured and underinsured Missouri girls and women.

The series of three vaccinations takes six month to complete. It prevents strains that cause 70-percent of cervical cancer.

Gardasil is recommended for females ages 9-26.

Call 800-427-4636 for a list of participating health centers and clinics.

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Cervical cancer vaccine put on fast track for review by FDA

Elkhorn, CO

Merck & Co on Wednesday said U.S. regulators have granted a priority review for the company's application to expand marketing of its Gardasil cervical cancer vaccine to women aged 27 through 45.

The designation means that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is expected to make its decision on the marketing application within 6 months, rather than within the agency's typical 10-month review period.

Gardasil, one of Merck's fastest-growing products, is currently approved for girls and women nine through 26 years of age. It works by preventing infection with four sexually transmitted strains of the Human Papillomavirus that cause most cases of cervical cancer. More >>

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Gardasil HPV vaccine can reduce risk of cervical cancer

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Preventative measures can reduce risk factors for certain types of cancer (including cervical cancer), even those caused by infections. Human papillomavirus, or HPV, is a group of viruses consisting of more than 100 different strains. It is also the virus that causes genital HPV infection, a sexually transmitted disease that can lead to cervical cancer in women.

Dr. John Browning of McLeod OB/GYN Associates said that Gardasil is an effective way to protect young people from a heightened risk of developing cervical cancer later in life. Doctors such as Browning tell their patients about the importance of the vaccine and annual Pap smears in the prevention and detection of cervical cancer. “The vaccine can prevent what we think is 75 percent of (cervical) cancers, but it won’t change our recommended (Pap smear) screening,” Browning said

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Texas controversy stirs interest in HPV vaccine

Galveston, TX

Some pediatricians say last year's controversy over whether the state should mandate Texas schoolgirls to be vaccinated against the human papillomavirus has translated into more individuals getting the vaccine.

"It's really kind of an interesting thing — the controversy has really helped us get the word out," said Chris Turley, vice chair for clinical services at the University of Texas Medical Branch's Pediatrics Department.

"We really do have moms coming and asking for it. ... People forget about the tetanus shot because it's been around forever, but they come in knowing about this and wanting it for their daughters." More >>

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