HPV Vaccine Cuts Risk For Cervical Cancer

World Medical Association and the Medical Women's International Association urge every single woman and girl to get HPV vaccine to protect themselves from cervical cancer.

Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer occurring among women. About 500000 women worldwide are being cervical cancer diagnosed each year, 1/4 million women die annually from the disease, most of dying are from poor countries. However, the cancer is preventable by human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine.

Human papillomavirus is a sexually transmitted infection, most of women are being infected with this virus. There are about 100 types of HPV, 30 of them are leading to cancer. If the infection is not being properly treated and remains in a body for a long time, it increases the risk for cancer.

HPV is commonly being transmitted genital contact. Most sexually active women, about 50%, are being infected within the first 4 years of sexually active life.

World Medical Association and the Medical Women's International Association are urging health officials to make HPV vaccination a priority, allocate funds to make it available for every women and to reduce cervical cancer rates.