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Human Papillomavirus ( HPV ) Vaccine Prevents HPV Infection and Cervical Cancer

GlacoSmithKline`s Vaccine to Prevent Cervical Cancer and HPV Infection

Could a vaccine help protect women against and eliminate the threat of cervical cancer? A vaccine is under development that targets the Human Papilloma Virus, or HPV, the virus that causes cervical cancer. The vaccine would not only protect women against one of the most common sexually transmitted infections but also prevent cervical cancer.

The vaccine is currently pending FDA approval,  according to recent information published by the American Cancer Society. Note, the Federal advisers have already voted to recommend to the Food and Drug Administration to approve a competing vaccine by Merck & Co, Gardasil, that will be used against a sexually transmitted virus (HPV) that causes cervical cancer.

HPV infection and Cervical Cancer
Cervical cancer is one of the biggest fears of women. Cervical cancer is caused by contamination with the sexually transmitted Human Papilloma Virus (HPV).

Althought there are many different strains of HPV that have been identified, two strains in particularly have been associated with more than 70 percent of cervical cancers identified in women.

GlaxoSmithKline has developed a new vaccine that is intended to prevent infection by these two HPV strains. The vaccine will work by preventing women from developing HPV cervical infections that may lead to precancerous changes and subsequent cervical cancer.

The Future for Cervical Cancer
In times of old cervical cancer was a primary concern for many women, and a common cause of cancer death in women. Routine Pap smear screenings have reduced the number of death associated with cervical cancer significantly; however thousands of women still die every year from this disease.

The vaccine may reduce this number significantly, providing protection to women who have been exposed to HPV.

The initial guidelines will allow dispersal of the vaccine to women between the ages of 10 to 12 who have not yet become sexually active. Three doses of the vaccine will be required over a period of six months. The vaccine will provide 100 percent protection for women receiving all three doses, thus women receiving the vaccine will not develop cervical cancer.

At this time no side effects have been associated with use of the vaccine.

The Controversy of a Cervical Cancer Prevention Vaccine
There may be some reluctance by parents to submit young girls between the ages of 10 and 12 to a vaccine meant to stave off a sexually transmitted disease. However, with appropriate education cervical cancer rates have the potential to decrease significantly.

The vaccine should be viewed as a tremendous benefit for women the world over in the treatment and prevention of cervical cancer. Despite the tremendous benefits, there are many conservative American groups that have expressed concern about the vaccine.

The fact of the matter is however that most cases of HPV are diagnosed early on, between the ages of 15 and 25. Whether or not parents are willing to admit it, more than 60 percent of young women will have engaged in some form of sexual activity by the age of 15. The more protection they are afforded early on the better.

In an ideal situation the vaccine may be recommended in the pediatric immunization schedule, which already includes vaccination for diseases including Hepatitis B. The U.S. Centers for Disease control may also make inoculation a requirement for school entry.

Opponents still argue that such pervasive use of the vaccine may simply be a ploy to improve the financial bottom line for the vaccine manufacturers. There are still those that believe that abstinence is the best form of prevention.

HPV is becoming more and more widespread however, and though a focus on abstinence may be important, it is still also vital to acknowledge statistics, which indicate that widespread vaccination may be best for all parties involved.