The American Cancer Society says females should be routinely vaccinated against human papilloma virus (HPV) at age eleven to 12 to prevent cervical cancer and its precursors. The new guidelines join those of other major health groups calling for vaccination among this group.

The guidelines, published in the January/February 2007 issue of CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, emphasize that the full potential of the vaccine will only be realized if vaccination can be achieved in groups of women for whom access to cervical screening is currently most problematic.

“The vaccine holds remarkable potential, but unless the same populations of women who right now do not have access to or do not seek regular Pap tests get this vaccine, it will have limited impact,” said Harmon Eyre, M.D., chief medical officer of the American Cancer Society. “Also, as HPV vaccination for the prevention of cervical cancer is introduced and promoted, it remains critical that women undergo regular screening even if they have been vaccinated.”

Posted on January 29, 2007 11:27 AM