A tremendous break-through in women's health occured today: the FDA approved a vaccine for cervical cancer for girls and women aged 9 - 26. This new vaccine has the potential to save thousands of lives a year here in the U.S. and hundreds of thousands of lives a year around the world.
The vaccine works by preventing infection by four strains of the human papillomavirus, or HPV, which can cause cervical cancer -- two of these strains are responsible for 70 percent of all cervical cancer cases (the other two strains are responsible for 90 percent of genital wart cases). Approximately 50 percent of sexually active women contract HPV at some point in their lives.
Although women's health advocates are excited about this new development, they note that the next hurdle is insuring that the vaccine gets to those who most need it. It is an expensive drug and it must be administered by three shots over 6 months. Advocates fear that the high cost and the need for multiple trips to the doctor's office may dissuade poor and minority women and girls (those at the highest risk for cervical cancer) from getting the drug.
We must work to insure that this life-saving drug is readily available to all who need it. With Bush & republicans in power I have my doubts but I urge all women to remember this voting in November