GARDASIL

Gardasil is the world's first vaccine to prevent cervical cancer and HPV-related diseases caused by types 6, 11, 16 & 18.

Cervical cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women worldwide, causing approximately 750 deaths everyday, nearly 274,000 deaths each year.

Gardasil which was registered with Drug Control Authority and approved in Malaysia in October 2006, helps the prevention of cervical cancer: cervical pre-cancers; vulvar pre-cancers and vaginal pre-cancers caused by HPV(Human Papillomavirus) types 16 and 18. The vaccine is also approved for the prevention of genital warts and low grade cervical lesions caused by HPV types 6, 11, 16 & 18.

The vaccine is approved for 9 to 26 year-old girls and women. It is administered through injection in 3 doses, with an interval of 2 months between the first and second dose, and an interval of 4 months between the second and third dose.

Unfortunately this vaccination will not protect against HPV types not included in the vaccine. This vaccine is NOT intended to be used for treatment of active genital warts; cervical cancer or vulvar and vaginal intraepithelial neoplasias.

One lesser known fact is that cervical cancer is caused by certain types of a common virus called HPV( don't confuse with HIV), HPV can cause cervical cancer, other cancers, abnormality of the cervical cells, precancerous changes to the cervical tissues and genital warts. Therefore, women need to be proactive in taking measures to help protect themselves from this disease.

Remember, please don't trust your sex partner 100%. He might be the virus carrier.