Health @ Heart
Vaccine for Cervical Cancer
First of two parts
Cervical cancer is malignant tumor of the cervix (mouth of the womb). It is the second most cancer in women and the third most common gynecologic cancer, the second being cancer of the ovary. The most common gynecologic malignancy is endometrial (inner wall of womb) cancer, which is the fourth most common cancer in women. The first being cancer of the breasts, followed by colorectal cancer and lung cancer. Cervical cancer develops in women at the mean age of 50 years old, although it can occur in women as young as 20. In the Philippines it is the number 2 most common form of cancer among women. In the United States it accounts for least 3000 mortality, and globally, about 300,000, annually.
How prevalent is cervical cancer?
In the Philippines, there are about 5000 new cases of cervical cancer each year. However, more alarming than that is the fact that there are between 10,000 to 25,000 women walking around (not seen by physician) who have undiagnosed pre-invasive lesions in their cervix. If diagnosed early, these women could be saved. For every four survivors of breasts cancer, there are less than 3 women who survive cervical cancer, which shows how virulent cervical cancer is.
What causes cervical cancer?
Human Papilloma Virus (HPV, also known as genital herpes virus) accounts for most, if not all, cervical cancers. At least 50% of sexually active men and women are infected with genital HPV, especially those with multiple partners. There are about 20 million American men and women infected with HPV, many linked with abnormal pap tests, genital warts and cervical cancer. It is estimated that 10,370 new cases of cervical cancers will be discovered in 2005. Between half a million to a million Americans have genital warts, transmitted through sexual contacts.
Is the cure for cervical cancer?
Better than the cure! A vaccine that prevents cervical cancer has just been discovered, and was found to be "effective 100%, in the short term, at blocking the cancer and lesions likely to turn to cancer" (like the pre-invasive lesions), according to drug manufacturer, Merck & Co.
What is this new wonder drug? How good is the study? How early should the vaccine be given? When will the vaccine be available? These will be answered next Friday.