Women In Government Commends FDA For Approving HPV Vaccine In Fight Against Cervical Cancer

Women In Government, a non-profit,
bi-partisan organization representing women state legislators, today
commended the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its approval of a
vaccine for the human papillomavirus (HPV), the virus that causes cervical
cancer. The FDA approved the vaccine, made by Merck and known as Gardasil,
for girls and women between the ages of 9 and 26, in order to help prevent
cervical cancer.


"The FDA's decision marks an historic milestone in the fight against
cervical cancer and should be celebrated by women and health advocates
around the world," said Susan Crosby, president of Women In Government.
"The availability of an HPV vaccine brings us one major step closer to our
goal of ensuring that no more women die of this preventable disease. For
the HPV vaccine to truly achieve its potential, however, it must be
available to all recommended age groups, regardless of their socioeconomic
status. We urge the federal Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices
(ACIP) to assist in this effort."


The ACIP is expected to issue recommendations on who should receive the
HPV vaccine and to determine if the vaccine will be included in the federal
government's Vaccines for Children Program, which provides free
immunization for under-insured and uninsured children. Their guidelines are
also frequently used as the basis for insurance coverage decisions, medical
guidelines and inclusion in other public health programs.


Gardasil has been shown in clinical trials to be 100 percent effective
in preventing infection with the two types of HPV (16 and 18) that are
responsible for approximately 70 percent of all cervical cancers. Clinical
data also showed the HPV vaccine to be effective in targeting HPV types 6
and 11, which can cause 90 percent of genital warts.


Ms. Crosby emphasized that, even with the availability of an HPV
vaccine, screening will still be important to target cervical cancer caused
by those HPV types not covered by the vaccine and to reach women who have
already been exposed to high-risk HPV. "The HPV vaccine should become a
part of comprehensive cervical cancer prevention programs that also use
advanced and medically appropriate screening methods, such as HPV testing,"
said Ms. Crosby.


Research shows that the Pap test's ability to detect cervical cancer or
its early signs ranges from 51 to 85 percent. The FDA recently approved a
new screening test for HPV, which, when used in conjunction with a Pap in
women age 30 and older, increases the accuracy of the Pap to almost 100
percent.


In 2004, Women In Government launched its "Challenge to Eliminate
Cervical Cancer Campaign," which mobilizes legislators to educate women
about cervical cancer and HPV and ensure that all age-appropriate females
have access to advanced and appropriate prevention technologies. To date,
45 states have introduced legislation or resolutions targeting cervical
cancer prevention and 39 states have enacted such measures.















About Cervical Cancer


Worldwide, cervical cancer is the second leading cancer-killer of
women, with almost a quarter-million deaths each year. In the United
States, the American Cancer Society estimates 9,710 women will be diagnosed
with and more than 3,700 women will die of cervical cancer. According to
the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 20
million people are currently infected with HPV, with 6.2 million new
infections occurring annually and approximately 80 percent of sexually
active women will be infected with HPV by age 50. For 90 percent of
infected women, the virus is naturally cleared by the body and becomes
undetectable within two years. However, persistent infection with
"high-risk" types of HPV is the cause of cervical cancer.


About Women In Government


Women In Government is a national, 501(c)(3), non-profit, bi-partisan
organization of women state legislators providing leadership opportunities,
networking, expert forums and educational resources to address and resolve
complex public policy issues. For more information, visit
womeningovernment.



Women In Government

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View drug information on Gardasil.