Eradicating Cervical Cancer - plus other diseases at the same time

Vaccination is recognised as one of the most successful approaches of modern medicine. Vaccination is famously responsible for eradicating smallpox and has effectively reduced the risk of infectionInvasion by organisms that may be harmful, for example bacteria or parasites. from many other diseases such as polio and measlesAn infection of the respiratory system caused by a virus.. The close link between cancerAbnormal, uncontrolled cell division resulting in a malignant tumour that may invade surrounding tissues or spread to distant parts of the body. of the cervixAny neck-like structure; most commonly refers to the neck of the uterus. and the human papilloma virusA sexually transmitted virus that can cause genital warts and may also have a role in the development of various cancers. (HPVAn abbreviation for human papilloma virus, a sexually transmitted virus that can cause genital warts and may also have a role in the development of various cancers.) means that by eliminating HPV infection, a global vaccinationThe means of producing immunity by stimulating the formation of antibodies. programme could also lead to the disappearance of cervicalRelating either to the cervix (the neck of the womb) or to the cervical vertebrae in the neck (cervical spine). cancer. This was the message delivered by Prof Harald zur Hausen.

As previously discussed on this blog by senior London gynaecologists Prof John Studd and Adeola Olaitan, although the major impact is on women’s health, there are also important implications for men’s health. Professor zur Hausen won the Nobel Prize for his discovery of HPV as the cause of cervical cancer. He says:  “If we wish to achieve eradication within a reasonable period of time, we will need to vaccinate both sexes, and research has shown that boys respond to vaccination in the same way as girls. The main risk of developing cancer after HPV infection is with women and, because of the cost of vaccines, it has been decided to start with girls. But other cancers associated with HPV infection, such as anal and oral cancer, are more common in men, and genital warts occur in both sexes. So there is good reason to vaccinate boys before the onset of sexual activity as well”.