Cervical cancer is the second most deadly cancer among women. Statistics reveals that about 290,000 women die worldwide each year as a result of cervical cancer. Hence researchers were keen on finding a cure or methods to prevent cervical cancer. This paved way to the development of a vaccine with the potential to cut down worldwide deaths occurring as a result of cervical cancer.
It is mainly caused by a virus called Human Papillomavirus (HPV). It is estimated that this virus triggers 70% of cervical cancers. The vaccine is deemed safe and effective by US advisers is now just one step from approval. The vaccine, Gardasil is also been approved to be sold in America. But the approval will be made by the FDA on June 8. Merck says that the vaccine blocks and protects against two strains of the viruses that cause cervical cancer. This vaccine is thought to cut the number of death due to cervical cancer across the world by two-thirds. It acts against the HPV 16, 18, 6 and 11 strains.
