Florence Udoh
22 October 2009
MEDICAL scientists have discovered a four-in-one vaccine-gardasil-for the prevention and control of cervical cancer in Nigeria, which is the only quadrivalent Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccine in the world that has shown the ability of preventing four serotypes of Cervical Cancer causing viruses (HPV).
Type 6, II, 16 and 18 serotypes of HPV are said to cause cervical cancer, genital warts and about 10 per cent of law-grade cervical changes or dyplasias in women.
According to Mr. Graca Machel, an advocate for woman's health and the president of Foundation for Community Development (FCD) Lagos, cervical cancer is a significant burden to the developing countries, adding that World Health Organisation (WHO) pre-qualification of an HPV vaccine signifies a move to help protect young women and improve access to better healthcare, particularly in the poorest countries.
He said: "HPV is estimated to cause about half a million new cervical cancer cases every year, with majority affecting women in developing countries. For most women, HPV goes away on its own, however, for some certain high-risk types of HPV, if unrecognized and untreated, can lead to cervical cancer."
Dr. Kin Egwuonwu, the national coordinator, National Cervical Cancer Prevention Programme (NCCPP), who confirmed the NAFDAC approval of the vaccine said cervical cancer is most common gynaecological cancer worldwide and commonest cause of cancer-related deaths in women.
"The approval of gardasil by NAFDAC is an opportunity for Nigerians to save the lives of mothers, sisters, friends among others. I am happy to see this happen in Nigeria. At least, thousands of lives will be saved.
Eighty three per cent of cervical cancer cases, he said; occur in developing countries, where, in many regions, it is the most common cancer among women. The vaccine will go a long way in reducing the number of women that are affected by the cervical cancer in Nigeria. If the women avail themselves to this new vaccine, lives lost to this dreadful ailment would be saved.
In the United States of America, he continued, gardasil is currently indicated for use in girls and young women within nine through 26 years of age for the prevention of cervical, vulvar and vaginal cancers caused by HPV types 16 and 18; genital warts caused by HPV types 6 and 11, as well as pre-cancerous, or dysplastic lesions caused by HPV types 6, 11, 16 and 18.
HPV types 16 and 18, he stated, are responsible for approximately 70 per cent of cervical cancer.
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