The Cervical Cancer Vaccine

"It is exciting to think that there is now a vaccine that can have a dramatic impact on preventing cervical cancer. And even more exciting to think that the vaccine was developed right here in Australia by Professor Ian Frazer.

So often when we talk about cancer it is in the context of treatment or the hope of a cure. It is wonderful to know that from now on our young girls will no longer have the same fear of this awful disease in the future.

MBF strongly advocates that parents ensure their daughters have access to the free cervical cancer vaccination program." Dr Christine Bennett, Chief Medical Officer.

Cervical Cancer or Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine

What is cervical cancer?

Cervical cancer (cancer of the cervix) is a disease where abnormal cells grow uncontrollably and spread throughout the body from the cervix.
It is the second most common cancer among women worldwide and is almost always caused by the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) ¹
In 2002, 689 new cases of cervical cancer were detected in Australia ²
212 Australian women died from cervical cancer in 2004 ²
Until now the only effective way to prevent cervical cancer has been to have regular Pap smears.
The Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is a major Australian medical breakthrough to help with the prevention of cervical cancer.
Combined with cervical screening, HPV vaccination will provide women with their best chance of protection against cervical cancer and cervical abnormalities.

What causes cervical cancer?

HPV is a very common virus and around 4 in 5 men and women are affected at some time.
There are many strains of HPV, only some of which cause cervical cancer. HPV strains 16 and 18 cause around 70% of all cervical cancers.
HPV lives on the skin so it can be spread through intimate skin-to-skin contact. Anyone who has had sexual contact could have HPV.
For most women HPV will not lead to cancer. ¹

What is the Human Pappillomavirus (HPV) vaccine?

Based on technology developed in Australia by a team led by former Australian of the Year, Professor Ian Frazer, there is now a vaccine (GARDASIL) that prevents infection from HPV strains 16 and 18 in 90-100% of cases if individuals are vaccinated before they are infected with the HPV virus.
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), Australia's regulatory agency for guaranteeing medical drugs and devices are safe and clinically effective, approved GARDASIL on 16 June 2006 for females aged 9-26 and males aged 9-15 years. ¹
GARDASIL provides protection from 4 strains of HPV including types 16 and 18. GARDASIL also provides protection from types 6 and 11 that cause 90% of genital warts and 10% of low grade cervical abnormalities. ³
The HPV vaccine only provides protection from 70% of HPV types which cause cervical cancer so is not a substitute for regular Pap smears. Women who have ever had sex still need to have two yearly Pap smears and should still practice safe sex.

Who should be vaccinated?

Girls aged 9 to 26 years. The HPV vaccine is most effective when administered at an early age and before the start of sexual activity. As HPV can be transferred by skin to skin contact, it can be transmitted even when there is no penetration or through sharing of items that can come into contact with the genital area such as underwear. Thus, it is advisable to be vaccinated even before contemplating early sexual activity.
The vaccine should still be administered to young women who have had sexual contact as they are likely to have had a lower risk of exposure to the strains of HPV.
Even if a young woman is exposed to HPV between doses the course should still be completed as the effectiveness of the vaccine will only be slightly reduced.
Vaccination of women over the age of 26 years is not recommended and does not have TGA approval as they are likely to have had more exposure to HPV and the benefits of the vaccine may be reduced.

What is the HPV Vaccination Program?

In response to the overwhelming effectiveness of the HPV vaccine, the Australian Government is running the National HPV Vaccination Program
The vaccine is administered free for girls aged between 12 and 13 years through school-based programs on an ongoing basis. There will be a 2 year 'catch-up' program for girls attending school aged between 13 and 18 years until the end of the 2008 school year.
For young women who are not in school and are still under 27 years, GPs and community immunisation clinics will provide the vaccination until the end of June 2009.

For further information go to www.australia.gov.au/cervicalcancer

¹ health.gov.au/cervicalcancer

² AIHW

³ Australian Family Physician vol. 36 no. 3 March 2007

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