Gardasil: New Vaccine that Prevents Cervical Cancer

(HPV Vaccine , Joan Stephenson, PhD , JAMA. June 2007;297:2578)

Q. Can Cervical Cancer be prevented ?

• Cervical Cancer is commonly caused by HPV strains 16 and 18
• A new vaccine "Gardasil" manufactured by Merck Pharma prevents infection by these strains hence deemed useful in preventing cervical cancer
• The vaccine is not effective in preventing cancer in women who are already infection by HPV, hence routine screeing for Cervical cancer cannot be substituted.