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The fight against cervical cancer has just recently gained a new weapon in the form of Guardasil, a vaccine against certain types of the virus known to cause cervical cancer. Human Papillomavirus, or HPV, is a sexually transmitted virus which can infect men and women. In the United States, over 20 million people are infected currently with HPV, and every year 6.2 million new infections occur. It is estimated that by the age of 50, 80% of women will have acquired an HPV infection. Most men and women exposed to HPV will clear the virus within a couple of years, however, in susceptible women, infection by specific subtypes of the virus can cause cellular changes within the cervix that are precursors to cervical cancer. In 2006, over 3700 women in the U.S. died as a result of cervical cancer. Other subtypes of HPV are responsible for genital warts, a condition affecting over one million persons annually in the U.S.
Guardasil is designed so that a vaccinated individual develops antibodies to four subtypes of HPV, specifically subtypes 6, 11, 16 & 18. Subtypes 6 & 11 are responsible for genital warts, whereas subtypes 16 & 18 are found in over 70% of cervical cancer cells as well as precancerous cervical, vaginal and vulvar lesions. In a study involving over 16,000 women, Guardasil was 100% effective in preventing the formation of HPV type-6/11/16/18 cervical lesions in patients not previously exposed to these subtypes. Because of this, it is recommended that the vaccine be administered to females at age eleven or twelve, presumably before the onset of sexual activity but it can safely be given to any female between the ages of nine and twenty-six. It is not recommended for pregnant patients. On-going studies may eventually lead to recommendations for vaccinating older patients and males. The vaccine regimen consists of three injections at zero, two and six months.
It remains very important for women to continue to have routine screening for cervical cancer by an obstetrician/gynecologist since the vaccine does not protect against all subtypes of HPV. More information on HPV and Guardasil can be found on the websites of the Centers for Disease Control and the American College of OB/Gyns .
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