Cervical Cancer

Americans May Be Missing Direct Route To Head And Neck Cancer Care According To Survey
Tens of thousands of Americans are diagnosed annually with head and neck cancers, but many adults are unaware of doctors who specialize in treating these conditions, according to a recent survey by the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS), the association representing America's ear, nose and throat (ENT) doctors.

GPs Welcome Cervical Cancer Vaccine Catch Up Programme, Northern Ireland
Dr Brian Dunn, Chairman of the BMA's Northern Ireland General Practitioner Committee (NIGPC) welcomed the announcement by Health Minister Michael McGimpsey that the catch up programme for human papillomavirus (HPV) will proceed in full for girls born between 2 July 1991 and 1 July 1995. Dr Dunn said "NIGPC is very supportive of a campaign that will reduce the chance of many girls contracting cervical cancer.

Landmark Study In The New England Journal Of Medicine Shows HPV Testing Significantly Reduces Deaths From Cervical Cancer
Results from an eight-year trial involving more than 130,000 women published in The New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) demonstrate that in low-resource settings a single round of HPV testing significantly reduces the numbers of advanced cervical cancers and deaths, compared with Pap (cytology) testing or visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA).

Some Preterm Births May Be Prevented By HPV-Vaccine
Chronic human papilloma virus (HPV)-infections can lead to cellular changes in the cervix that can be a pre-stage to cervical cancer. Surgical treatment of these pre-stages gives an increased risk of preterm birth in subsequent pregnancies. As the HPV-vaccine can prevent pre-stages of cervical cancer, it may therefore reduce the number of preterm births. A new Norwegian study has calculated the benefits of HPV-vaccination.

Human Papillomavirus Genotype Distribution In New Mexico Cervical Cancers
DNA from human papilloma virus type 16 (HPV16) and HPV type 18 (HPV18) were found in the majority of invasive cervical cancers in New Mexico in the 1980s and 1990s, according to a population-based study published in the March 24 online issue of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

FDA Approved First DNA Test For Two Types Of Human Papillomavirus
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the first DNA test that identifies the two types of human papillomavirus (HPV) that cause the majority of cervical cancers among women in the United States. The test, called Cervista HPV 16/18, detects the DNA sequences for HPV type 16 and HPV type 18 in cervical cells. Differentiating these HPV types gives health care professionals more information on a patient's risk of subsequently developing cervical cancer.

HPV Test Effective For Preventing Cervical Cancer Deaths In Some Countries, Study Finds
One round of screening for human papillomavirus can reduce by more than 50% the risk of death from cervical cancer, which can be caused by the virus, according to a study published in the current issue of the New England Journal of Medicine, Time.com reports (Sharples, Time.com, 4/2).

Lay Health Workers Help Increase Cancer Screenings Among Low-income Hispanic Women
The intervention of lay health workers can be beneficial in increasing breast and cervical cancer screening among low-income Hispanic women, reports a new study. Participants in this study were women 50 and older who were non-adherent to mammography or Pap test screening guidelines. Researchers developed an educational intervention ("Cultivando La Salud"/Cultivating Health), which was administered by lay health workers.

Helix BioPharma Receives Approval To Initiate Phase II Pharmacokinetic Clinical Study Of Topical Interferon Alpha-2b In Patients With Cervical Lesions
Helix BioPharma Corp. (TSX, FSE: "HBP") announced that it has received the necessary regulatory approvals in Germany to initiate its planned Phase II pharmacokinetic study of Topical Interferon Alpha-2b in patients with low-grade cervical lesions.

NYT Examines Debate Over Replacing Pap Smears With HPV Tests For Cervical Cancer Screenings
The New York Times on Tuesday examined the debate among reproductive health experts over whether a new DNA test for human papillomavirus should replace Pap smears as the primary method for screening for cervical cancer.

Landmark Study In The New England Journal Of Medicine Shows HPV Testing Significantly Reduces Deaths From Cervical Cancer
Results from an eight-year trial involving more than 130,000 women published in The New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) demonstrate that in low-resource settings a single round of HPV testing significantly reduces the numbers of advanced cervical cancers and deaths, compared with Pap (cytology) testing or visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA).

Media Guardian Award For NHS Direct, England
An HPV 'virtual surgery' and web chat service on Habbo Hotel¹, commissioned by the Department of Health and run by NHS Direct to help prepare young girls for the new cervical cancer vaccine, has won a 2009 Media Guardian Innovation Award. The HPV service was aimed at young girls aged 12 to 13 to help answer their questions about the vaccine² throughout September and October 2008. A number of agencies and government departments were involved in the project.

Women Are Seeking More Private Cervical Screens Than Ever Before, UK
Spire Healthcare is witnessing more women than ever seeking advice on their gynaecological well-being. One of the UK's largest private hospital providers, Spire Healthcare, is seeing a significant rise in enquiries from women requesting information and appointments for private smear tests throughout its 36 hospitals. Local hospital Leeds has witnessed a considerable increase in enquiries this year compared to last year.

Panama HPV Vaccination Program Stirs Debate Over Public Health Education
PRI's "The World" on Friday examined how Panama's campaign to vaccinate all girls against human papillomavirus at age 10 is raising new concerns among some public health experts over how much information the government should disclose about such programs. The vaccine, which requires a three-dose regimen, protects against certain sexually transmitted forms of HPV that cause many cervical cancers, according to "The World.

GSK Submits Final Data For Application To Market HPV Vaccine Cervarix In U.S.
GlaxoSmithKline on Monday said it has submitted final data to FDA in support of its application to market the human papillomavirus vaccine Cervarix in the U.S., the AP/Forbes.com reports (AP/Forbes.com, 3/30).

HPV Test Effective For Preventing Cervical Cancer Deaths In Some Countries, Study Finds
One round of screening for human papillomavirus can reduce by more than 50% the risk of death from cervical cancer, which can be caused by the virus, according to a study published in the current issue of the New England Journal of Medicine, Time.com reports (Sharples, Time.com, 4/2).

HPV Testing Significantly Reduces Deaths From Cervical Cancer, Compared To Other Methods Including Pap
Results from an eight-year trial involving more than 130,000 women published today in The New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) demonstrate that in low-resource settings a single round of HPV testing significantly reduces the numbers of advanced cervical cancers and deaths, compared with Pap (cytology) testing or visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA).

NYT Examines Debate Over Replacing Pap Smears With HPV Tests For Cervical Cancer Screenings
The New York Times on Tuesday examined the debate among reproductive health experts over whether a new DNA test for human papillomavirus should replace Pap smears as the primary method for screening for cervical cancer.

FDA Approves Two Hologic HPV Tests
Hologic, Inc., (Hologic or the Company) (Nasdaq: HOLX), a leading women's healthcare company dedicated to serving the healthcare needs of women, announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the Company's premarket approval (PMA) applications for both the Cervista(TM) HPV HR (high risk) and the Cervista HPV 16/18 tests.

Genetic Differences Help Protect Against Cervical Cancer
Women with certain gene variations appear to be protected against cervical cancer, according to a study led by scientists at Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University and reported in Clinical Cancer Research. Knowing whether or not women have these genetic variants could help physicians to better tailor treatment strategies.

Some Preterm Births May Be Prevented By HPV-Vaccine
Chronic human papilloma virus (HPV)-infections can lead to cellular changes in the cervix that can be a pre-stage to cervical cancer. Surgical treatment of these pre-stages gives an increased risk of preterm birth in subsequent pregnancies. As the HPV-vaccine can prevent pre-stages of cervical cancer, it may therefore reduce the number of preterm births. A new Norwegian study has calculated the benefits of HPV-vaccination.

Genetic Differences Help Protect Against Cervical Cancer
Women with certain gene variations appear to be protected against cervical cancer, according to a study led by scientists at Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University and reported in Clinical Cancer Research. Knowing whether or not women have these genetic variants could help physicians to better tailor treatment strategies.

Kaiser Permanente Data Provides Strong Evidence For Continued Value Of Combined Pap And HPV Testing
Physicians from Kaiser Permanente and the National Cancer Institute report in the March issue of Obstetrics & Gynecology that results from an evaluation of more than 800,000 Pap and HPV tests conducted at Northern California Kaiser Permanente dispel the notion that excessive numbers of women would require increased surveillance and follow-up when HPV testing is implemented. Cervical cancer is a preventable cancer with a primary known cause -- the human papillomavirus (HPV).

Researchers Report Breakthrough In HPV Research
UAB (University of Alabama at Birmingham) researchers have developed a new, inexpensive and efficient method for producing and studying a type of human papillomavirus (HPV) that causes cervical cancer. The process could speed understanding of how the virus functions and causes diseases, and lead to new prevention or treatment options.

FDA Approved First DNA Test For Two Types Of Human Papillomavirus
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the first DNA test that identifies the two types of human papillomavirus (HPV) that cause the majority of cervical cancers among women in the United States. The test, called Cervista HPV 16/18, detects the DNA sequences for HPV type 16 and HPV type 18 in cervical cells. Differentiating these HPV types gives health care professionals more information on a patient's risk of subsequently developing cervical cancer.

Researchers Report Breakthrough In HPV Research
UAB (University of Alabama at Birmingham) researchers have developed a new, inexpensive and efficient method for producing and studying a type of human papillomavirus (HPV) that causes cervical cancer. The process could speed understanding of how the virus functions and causes diseases, and lead to new prevention or treatment options.

Both Latino And Non-Latino Women Likely To Accept HPV Vaccination For Selves And Children
Most women responding to a survey conducted at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) clinics indicated they would be willing to be vaccinated against the human papillomavirus (HPV) and to have their daughters and even sons vaccinated in order to prevent cancer in their children. The report in the March issue of Gynecologic Oncology also found that Latino women are just as likely, if not more so, to accept HPV vaccine as non-Latinos.