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Aggressive Tactics May Cut Risk of Cervical Cancer |
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Women's Health News
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HPV, human pappillomavirus, is the cause of cervical Cancer. Just a few short years ago, the Gardasil vaccination was released aimed at reducing the chance of contracting this very preventable cancer type.
Gardasil, the HPV vaccination, was once thought only to be effective for those in their 20s and under. Today, researchers are finding that aggressive vaccinations of older women may help to cut the risk of cervical cancer by more than 50%.
Using a math model, researchers were able to figure out the reduction in cervical cancer if 100% of the population were vaccinated with Gardasil. Children aged 12 years old showed an 85% reduction in cervical cancer cases. Women 25 years of age showed a reduction in cancer by 34 to 67% and women aged 45 years showed a reduction of 55%.
Currently, Gardasil is only approved for use between the ages of 9 and 26 and many health insurance companies do not cover the vaccination due to the high cost ($200 to $300 per shot or more).
The Gardasil vaccination is far from perfect. The vaccine only works in women who do not already have the HPV in their bodies. HPV is contracted through sexual contact with a male.
In 2008, more than 11,000 new cervical cancer cases were diagnosed and 3,870 of those women will die from that cancer.
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Last Updated ( Friday, 19 December 2008 )
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