U.S. Panel Endorses Cervical Cancer Vaccine for Girls

On June 29, 2006 Reuter's Health Day reported that a U.S. Advisory panel recommends that 11 - 12 year old girls be vaccinated against the HPV virus which causes cervical cancer. Cervical cancer is the second most common malignant disease in women globally, causing an estimated 290,000 deaths worldwide each year. In the United States, some 10,400 new cases will be diagnosed this year, and 3,700 women will die from the disease.

A U.S. advisory panel recommended Thursday that 11- and 12-year-old girls be routinely vaccinated against the virus that causes cervical cancer.

The National Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices also recommended that the vaccine, called Gardasil, be administered to girls as young as 9, at the provider's discretion, and for women up to age 26 who have not previously been vaccinated against the sexually transmitted human papillomavirus (HPV).

"The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices made a historic vote today to recommend routine use of HPV vaccine for girls aged 11 to 12," Dr. Anne Schuchat, director of the National Center for Immunizations and Respiratory Diseases at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said at a Thursday news conference. "It's a very important day -- a breakthrough for women's health."

Some religious conservatives and other critics have expressed concern that giving the vaccine to children could encourage underage sex. But, according to Schuchat, no controversy arose at the panel's recent public meetings.

The panel's recommendation was hailed by health experts.

My daughter, Maureen, has an interesting article on her blog Mockingbird Square which she posted on 6/29/06 which tells the story of a woman she worked with who had to have a hysterectomy at age 27 because of cervical cancer which, of course, renders her infertile for the rest of her life.

Link: MedlinePlus: U.S. Panel Endorses Cervical Cancer Vaccine for Girls.