Ten Facts on Cervical Cancer, HPV and the HPV Vaccine

1. Worldwide, more than 273,000 women die from cervical cancer annually -- 9% of the global cancer death toll for females. The American Cancer Society predicts that, in 2007, about 3,670 American women will lose their lives to the illness and 11,150 new U.S. cases will be diagnosed.

2. Infection with HPV is the leading cause of cervical cancer, and in 2006 the FDA licensed the first vaccine against the virus. Gardasil® targets HPV strains 16 and 18, thought to cause 70% of cervical cancers, as well as strains 6 and 11, thought to be responsible for 90% of cases of genital warts. The vaccine is recommended for females aged 11 to 26, but can be given to girls as young as 9.

3. Clinical trials of Gardasil® have so far involved over 11,000 females aged 9 to 26 and they have revealed no serious side effects. The FDA and CDC are monitoring the safety and efficacy of the drug.

4. Due to a lack of research in women over 26, the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine for older age groups remains unclear. It is thought that Gardasil® may work best for girls and women who have not yet been exposed to HPV through sexual contact. The FDA does not yet recommend Gardasil® for women over 26, pending further study.

5. Genital contact with another person is enough to transmit HPV. Both men and women can contract the virus and pass it on to their sex partners without realizing it.

6. At least 50% of sexually active people will contract HPV at some point in their lives, and about 6.2 million Americans become infected each year. The virus is most common in young people in their late teens and early 20s.

7. HPV is not the same as HIV or Herpes (Herpes simplex virus or HSV). Each of these viruses can be sexually transmitted but have different consequences for health.

8. Studies are now being done to discover if the vaccine can prevent HPV infection and disease in males. When more data are available, Gardasil® may also be licensed and recommended for boys and men.

9. The vaccine does NOT protect against all strains of HPV that are thought to cause cervical cancers, so vaccinated women remain at some risk and should continue regular cervical cancer screening. Getting incomplete doses of the vaccine, or having been exposed to HPV prior to vaccination can also add to the risk.

10. It’s important to know that in most cases, HPV infection goes away on its own with little lasting effects. If infection does lead to health problems -- such as genital warts, "precancerous" cervical cell changes, or cancers of the cervix, vulva, vagina and anus – treatments do exist.