Prophylactic HPV Vaccines for Cervical Cancer

Cervical cancer is the second most common form of cancer found in women, and it is responsible for more than a quarter of a million deaths worldwide each year. With approximately 70% of cervical cancers now known to be caused by two types of the human pailloma virus (HPV), there is great interest surrounding the approval of the first preventative vaccines for clinical use. Despite this excitement, many questions remain about how the new vaccines should best be implemented and how cervical cnancer screening will change following vaccination. Part of the Oxford American Pocket Card series, the information for this small card was taken from Vaccines for the Prevention of Cervical Cancer (edited by PL Stern and KC Kitchener). It is designed to be an educational brochure on the prophylactic HPV vaccines for cervical cancer. The card includes an overview of the role of HPV in the pathology of cervical cancer and its current screening and management, the principles of immune control of HPV infection in cervical cancer, and the challenges of implementing HPV vaccines and future developments. Figures and tables are included to enhance reader understanding.