On June 16th 2015, new research published in the British Medical Journal found that more than half of cervical cancer deaths occur in women over age 65. Chief researcher Dr. Sue Sherman proposed this high mortality rate is due to older women not going in for regular screenings. The perception that cervical cancer impacts only young women is one of the leading contributors to the lack of screening. Dr. Sue Sherman states, “As the population ages, this number of older women affected is set ...
Researchers from the U.S. National Cancer Institute and other organizations looked through trials that were previously conducted on 24,000 young women. The goal was to estimate how much of a protection the women were able to receive from various levels of doses. Vaccine efficacy against incident HPV-16/18 infections for three doses was 77·0% (95% CI 74·7–79·1), two doses was 76·0% (62·0–85·3), and one dose was 85·7% (70·7–93·7).A change in dosage could increase the number of young women vaccinated by reducing ...
Scientists have previously found evidence that the hormone estrogen is elevated in cervical cancer. On June 8th, 2015 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, a study was released that found estrogen receptors seem to disappear in cervical cancer tumors, countering previous research findings. Researchers used gene expression profiling on 128 samples from 4,000 women who are participating in the Study to Understand Cervical Cancer Early Endpoints and Determinants. Lead researcher Johan den Boon stated the goal of ...
Girls who received the human papillomavirus vaccine (HPV) vaccine didn’t have higher rates of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) compared with non-vaccinated girls, suggesting the vaccine doesn’t lead to riskier sexual behavior—according to a study by Harvard University and University of Southern California researchers published in JAMA on Monday.
Researchers compared 21,000 vaccinated girls and more than 186,000 non-vaccinated girls in the US between 12-18 years of age for STDs, and found nothing to suggest an increase in sexual activity among the girls ...
Title: Utilizing Media to Reduce the Burden of Cervical Cancer in Little Haiti: A Community-Based Participatory Research Approach
Authors: Brigette Frett, Myra Aquino, Marie Fatil, Julia Seay, Dinah Trevil, Michèle Jessica Fièvre, Valentine Cesar, Erin Kobetz
These two educational short films discuss cervical cancer prevention through HPV vaccination and Pap testing for a Haitian audience. These films were written and produced by a Haitian writer and star Kreyol-speaking actors, incorporating medical and public health information shared by partners at the University of ...
APRIL 2014 – The World Health Organization Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization recommends a 2-dose HPV vaccination schedule for girls that initiate vaccination prior to 15 years of age. The recommended minimal interval between the 2 doses is 6 months, but it may be extended to 12 months.
A 3-dose schedule (i.e. at 0, 1-2, and 6 months) continues to be recommended if immunization is initiated after the girl’s 15th birthday or if the individual is immunocompromised, including those ...
Twelve years into a 16-year randomized controlled study, researchers report that the use of VIA screening by primary health workers in Mumbai, India is showing significant results. Visual inspection of the cervix with ascetic acid (VIA) is an inexpensive screening method, and its low cost makes it a viable option for women in India, many of whom do not have access to Pap smears. The results of this study have shown a statistically significant 31% reduction in cervical cancer mortality ...
A recently released study on the effectiveness of HPV-based versus cytology-based screening for cervical cancer showed that HPV-based screening provides 60–70% greater protection against invasive cervical carcinomas compared with cytology. The study included several years of follow-up of women in four randomized trials to investigate these outcomes. As the study authors write, “Data of large-scale randomized trials support initiation of HPV-based screening from age 30 years and extension of screening intervals to at least 5 years.
Read the study abstract here:
Data published in Clinical Infectious Diseases show that that the quadrivalent HPV vaccine is safe and immunogenic in women aged 13 to 45 with HIV. As Erna Milunka Kojic, MD, associate professor of medicine at Brown University, told Infectious Disease News, “HIV-infected women carry a disproportionate burden of HPV-associated diseases,” so this new information will benefit an important at-risk group.
Read more about the newly released research on the use of the quadrivalent HPV vaccine in women with HIV:
A $3.6 million grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation will allow the George W. Bush Institute, the CDC and the World Health Organization to work with the Pink Ribbon Red Ribbon® initiative to improve the monitoring and evaluation of cervical cancer screening and treatment programs.
The primary activities of this two-year grant include:
The conduct of rapid baseline situational assessments with reports and strategic consultations with countries to process the results and develop recommendations for improved monitoring and evaluation; and The ...