Cancer-causing viruses like HPV can cause cells to divide indefinitely and, in the case of Henrietta Lacks, become immortal.
Tom Deerinck/NIH via Flickr
The immortal cancer cells of Henrietta Lacks revolutionized the fields of science, medicine and bioethics. And they still survive today, more than 70 years after her death.
Some strains of the human papilloma virus (HPV) have been associated with cancers, especially cervical cancer.
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Researchers have found a way to encourage cervical cancer screenings and vaccinations in Korean American women. Might their findings also work in other underrepresented populations?
When British parents are informed of the risks of HPV, they want their sons to be vaccinated against the virus.
While cervical screening has saved countless lives, we overscreen in Canada. Women don’t need to be screened until the age of 25 for cervical cancer.
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Medical research suggests cervical cancer screening for women under the age of 25 has little impact. Women should therefore be screened at a later age, and less often.
While the previous Gardasil vaccine protected against 70% of cervical cancers, the updated Gardasil 9 version will protect against up to 93% of these.
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Prevention against cervical cancer is the main aim of the Gardasil vaccine. But HPV is also linked to a large proportion of anal, vaginal and head and neck cancers.
A new version of Gardasil, the HPV vaccine that protects against cervical cancer, has just been approved for listing on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Schedule.
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The kinds of vaccines adults need depend on several factors, including whether you were born here, how old you are and whether you intend to travel overseas.
Rwandan girls were targeted in the country’s successful HPV vaccination programme.
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Rwanda’s vaccination programme for girls against HPV, the most common sexually transmitted disease was a huge success, thanks to implementation science.
Women are confused about what changes to the cervical screening program will mean for their sexual health.
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Dave Hawkes, Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health
The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine has attracted attention in the past week for two contradictory reasons: the Japanese government has withdrawn its recommendation for the shot, while public health…
Women in Australia are encouraged to have pap smears from the age of 18, while in the UK the age has been raised to 25.
AAP
UK health authorities have recommended women start having pap smears later in life, suggesting women wait until they are at least 25 before having their first cervical cancer screening. The aim is to reduce…
A major US study has added support to the safety of the HPV vaccine.
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A large US study has added further support to the safety of the Australian-developed human papillomavirus vaccine (HPV4). The study, published in Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, included…
Chair, Medical Advisory Committee, Australian Cancer Research Foundation; Director, Diamantina Institute for Cancer Immunology and Metabolic Medicine, The University of Queensland