DeLauro Celebrates Approval of Vaccine to Prevent Major Causes of Cervical Cancer, Calls for National Public Education Campaign
DeLauro Celebrates Approval of Vaccine to Prevent Major Causes of Cervical Cancer, Calls for National Public Education Campaign
Congresswoman Rosa L. DeLauro (Conn.-3) today celebrated the approval of the first vaccine that may prevent cervical cancer by protecting women against human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV, the most common sexually transmitted disease, is believed to be responsible for about 70 percent of cervical cancer cases. Cervical cancer afflicts nearly 10,000 women each year, killing 4,000 in the U.S. Worldwide there are 510, 000 women diagnosed with cervical cancer with 288, 000 deaths.
"Today is a historic day for all women," said DeLauro. "The first vaccine of its kind to guard women against a common disease that leads to cervical cancer is a medical breakthrough and we should celebrate the fact that it has been approved for use. Women around the country should learn of this advancement, what it means for their lives, and the implications of HPV. For that reason, I have called on the CDC to launch a public education campaign about the potential of this new vaccine and how young women can take advantage of this medical breakthrough."
After learning of the approval of this vaccine, DeLauro today wrote to Dr. Julie Gerberding, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) asking that they develop and implement a public education campaign regarding this important vaccine.
Last month, a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advisory panel found that the HPV vaccine is safe and effective and should be approved for use. That news followed testimony by Dr. John Niederhuber, the acting director of the National Cancer Institute and National Institutes of Health, who told the Labor-Health-Education Appropriations Subcommittee in April that the results of the HPV vaccine were "truly stunning."
DeLauro, a member of that subcommittee and a cancer survivor, is also the ranking member of the House Appropriations Agriculture Subcommittee with oversight responsibilities of the FDA and its budget.
http://www.house.gov/delauro/press/2006/June/HPV_vaccine_6_8_06.html