Government taking interest in cervical cancer vaccine

"Exciting developments" regarding a vaccine thought to be 100 per cent successful in preventing cervical cancer are being closely followed by Maltese government, a Health Division spokesman told The Times.

"Once the product is licensed, a committee will study the feasibility of introducing it in Malta," he said.

Statistics gathered by the Malta National Cancer Registry show that six women died of uterine cervix cancer last year, the youngest being between 25 and 29 years old.

The vaccine, Gardasil, which is produced by pharmaceutical giant Merck & Co, protects against human papilloma virus (HPV).

According to British media, Gardasil could reduce the need for regular smear tests and was described by Margaret Stanley, an HPV expert from Cambridge University, as a "stunning development". She was quoted saying that if there was blanket coverage it could put an end to cervical cancer for good.

According to the pharmaceutical company, the vaccine is effective against HPV types 16 and 18 which account for 70 per cent of cervical cancers and HPV types six and 11 which account for 90 per cent of cases of genital warts.

Media reports said the vaccine has to be taken before the start of sexual activity for it to protect against HPV. Earlier this month The Daily Telegraph said British doctors wanted it to become part of a national programme and said it should be given to both boys and girls aged between nine and 11.

Asked whether the vaccine would be part of the national health scheme or would have to be taken privately by those interested, the spokesman said it was still premature to comment on this.

More than 12,000 women aged between 16 and 26 and hailing from 13 countries took part in the trial, which was conducted by the University of Queensland. Merck & Co said half the women received Gardasil while the others received a placebo.

The two-year study analysed women who received three doses of the drug, had no major protocol violations and remained free of HPV types 16 and 18 for the first seven months after the start of the trial. It showed that in this group Gardasil prevented 100 per cent of cases of high-grade pre-cancer and non-invasive cancer associated with HPV 16 and 18.

According to the European Journal of Cancer, cervical smears carried out every three years can prevent 90 per cent of cervical cancers in a population if all women attend and all detected lesions are adequately followed up.

Department of Health Information principal medical officer Miriam Dalmas said information about women's health is available by both the Primary Health Care Department, especially from the Well Women clinics in Health Centres as well as the Health Promotion Department.