Every year more than half a million women are diagnosed with cervical cancer worldwide with about 275,000 women dying of the disease yearly (WHO, March 4 2011). It is the 15th most commonly diagnosed cancer in women. In Australia, in 2012, there were 869 new diagnosed cases and is estimated to increase to 903 in 2016, with 250 deaths. The 5-year survival rate (2008-2012) is 72%. (Health, A. I. of, & 2017, W. July 17 2016).. A major breakthrough occurred in 1976, when Dr zur Hansen identified the human papilloma virus (HPV) as the cause of cervical cancer (News, no date). This meant that cervical cancer is preventable.
Cervical cancer occurs when a malignant tumour forms in the cervix. Almost all cases of cervical cancer are caused by persistent infection with high-risk types of the human papilloma virus. There are two types of cervical cancer; squamous cell carcinoma (80%) and adenocarcinoma (20%). These cancers come …show more content…
Dr Steve Hambelton, the President of the Australian Medical Association called it, “one of the most potent vaccines we have” (document, no date).
The efficacy of the vaccine is high and the two preventive vaccines have the capacity to save an estimated quarter of a million lives annually. Women aged 9-26 gained protection against type 16 and 18 (causing 75% of cervical cancer) and against strand 6 and 11 (causing 90% of genital wart), 50% vulva cancers and 70% of vaginal cancers were also protected. It also helped boys and men between ages 9-26 against 90% of genital warts. (document, no date)
Research studies have shown early signs of the vaccine's success including a 77% reduction in HPV types responsible for almost 75% of cervical cancer. However, as cervical cancer takes over 10 years to develop the role of the vaccine in reducing cervical cancer will not be evident for some time. (Why the national HPV vaccination program was introduced, no
Cervical cancer occurs when a malignant tumour forms in the cervix. Almost all cases of cervical cancer are caused by persistent infection with high-risk types of the human papilloma virus. There are two types of cervical cancer; squamous cell carcinoma (80%) and adenocarcinoma (20%). These cancers come …show more content…
Dr Steve Hambelton, the President of the Australian Medical Association called it, “one of the most potent vaccines we have” (document, no date).
The efficacy of the vaccine is high and the two preventive vaccines have the capacity to save an estimated quarter of a million lives annually. Women aged 9-26 gained protection against type 16 and 18 (causing 75% of cervical cancer) and against strand 6 and 11 (causing 90% of genital wart), 50% vulva cancers and 70% of vaginal cancers were also protected. It also helped boys and men between ages 9-26 against 90% of genital warts. (document, no date)
Research studies have shown early signs of the vaccine's success including a 77% reduction in HPV types responsible for almost 75% of cervical cancer. However, as cervical cancer takes over 10 years to develop the role of the vaccine in reducing cervical cancer will not be evident for some time. (Why the national HPV vaccination program was introduced, no