New vaccine all set to eliminate cervical cancer

A new vaccine named “Gardasil” which was discovered by an Australian doctor is all set to be used for the prevention of cervical cancer, as a result, guarding women from falling victim to the fatal cervical cancer. According to a recent study, cervical cancer is diagnosed in almost 500,000 women worldwide, out of which 250,000 die due to this fatal disease.

The reasons behind cervical cancer dodged doctors over a number of years, as the exact cause of the disease was not discovered; however, a recent study showed that this type of cancer is caused due to a chronic infection occurring because of “Human Papilpomavirus” commonly known as HPV.

There are estimated to be around 100 different types of HPV viruses, and nearly 20 million people were affected by theses viruses in the year 2005.

This vaccine has been discovered by an Australian professor, Ian Fraser, who had been researching on the possible link of the virus Gardasil with cervical cancers, and trying to find ways to treat these viruses to treat occurrence of cancer.

Clinical studies conducted in Australia and the US has shown that this vaccine is almost 100% effective against the HPV virus types 16 and 18. These types of viruses are responsible in almost 70% of cervical cancers. This vaccine will be helpful in treating cervical and vaginal cancers. This vaccine starts the development of antibodies which helps in immunization and consequently protecting the body from cancer.

Gardasil is suggested for women of ages 9 to 26. There have not been any significant side effects witnessed with the usage of Gardasil vaccine; most commonly seen side effects included swelling, itching, redness or irritation at the site of vaccine administration.

HPV virus spreads from person to person due to genital skin contact, and is quite common; studies have shown that four out of five women get HPV in their lifetime. Even though HPV is a common virus, but not all women with this virus develop cervical cancers, there is only a risk of cancer when HPV types 16 and 18 take longer to wash out of the body.

Gardasil will be helpful in cases where HPV is present, as not all HPV viruses cause cancer, therefore, the vaccine will protect women who do have HPV, but not the cancer causing ones.