Cancer Resources

Researchers at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) in Australia have discovered that the HPV vaccine may be effective in preventing breast cancer, which affects over a million women a year worldwide.

In a new article published in the British Journal of Cancer, the experts reveal that they conducted studies of breast cells and found that there were several strains of HPV present which are known to have a high risk of initiating cancer of the cervix.

A team from UNSW School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, led by visiting professor James Lawson, declared that there was a presence of high-risk HPV in the nuclei of breast cancer epithelial cells in 21 per cent of 14 invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) breast cancer specimens. Continue reading ‘Cervical Cancer Vaccine May Stop Breast Cancer’ »

Cervix is the neck of the uterus. It is the bottom, slim part of the uterus which is connected to the topmost part of the vagina. Cervical cancer is believed to be due to the infection caused by HPV (Human Papillomavirus). The malignant symptoms of this cancer include bleeding of the vagina, contact bleeding and vaginal mass. Other symptoms include moderate pain during sexual intercourse and vaginal discharge. In the advanced stages of this disease, a person experiences loss of appetite, weight loss, fatigue, pelvic pain, back pain, leg pain, single swollen leg, heavy vaginal bleeding, bone fractures and leaking of urine or feces from the vagina.

Because of the growing cases of cervical cancer each year, a cervical cancer vaccine was made available. It was aimed to provide protection from HPV which is believed to be the root cause of most cervical cancer. Gardasil is the first cervical cancer vaccine approved by the Food and Drug Administration. Its effectiveness is said to be up to 98%. Cervarix is the other cervical cancer vaccine which is already in use in some countries. But in other countries, it is still waiting for approval before its full campaign. Gardasil vaccine protects against HPV types 6, 11, 16 and 18. Cervarix is said to be 92% effective against HPV 16 and 18. HPV types 6 and 11 are considered as the cause for 90% reason for all genital warts issues. HPV 16 and 18, on the other hand, are considered as the cause for 70% of all cervical cancer issues. The vaccine aims to particularly block the causes of the cancer (such as the HPV) to even get to the core. Continue reading ‘Aims of the Cervical Cancer Vaccine’ »