Cervical cancer claims the lives of almost 4000 women annually in the United States. It happens to be the second top killer disease in women the world over. This cancer is caused by the human papillomavirus [HPV] virus group that has around 100 strains.

Men are the carriers of this HPV virus and it is transmitted to women through sexual activity. Men also develop genital warts when they are infected by the virus.

Therefore the Cervical cancer vaccine assumes great importance. Two vaccines have been developed against cervical cancer. The first is Gardasil created by Merck pharmaceuticals. It protects you mainly from 4 HPV virus strains namely Types 16 and 18, and Types 6 and 11 which are the major causes of cervical cancer and genital warts.

The vaccine is administered in a series of three injections at an interval of six months. During pregnancy it has to be discontinued. After child birth the remaining sessions can be taken without having to restart again.

It is licensed for women in the age group 9-26 i.e. from the time of menarche to the time of menopause. Also once a woman is infected with an HPV strain taking the vaccine subsequently will not provide any immunity. Hence the vaccine has to be administered before sexual activity takes place. Young and old males are also eligible for this HPV vaccine so as to protect their future partners and themselves.

The second vaccine against cervical cancer is Cervarix developed by Glaxo SmithKline. It is soon to be reviewed and approved by FDA. Research studies have found this vaccine to be effective for women between 15-55 years working on the same principle of the first vaccine. It targets only Types 16 and 18 HPV strains. And if a woman is already infected the vaccine will fail to provide immunity on subsequent administration.

It is estimated that widespread vaccine administration worldwide can help reduce cervical cancer deaths by almost two thirds. In addition to this it is imperative that every woman over the age of 40 years get a pap smear done every year or two as a routine to help screen out any problem in the early stage itself where life expectancy is way higher rather than when the disease is caught in the later stages. So people please wake up, make the change and help yourselves and those around you to understand the importance of this vaccine and this disease.