Prevention of Cervical Cancer

Cervical cancer is one of the commonest cancers in women. It is closely associated with infection with human papillomavirus (HPV) in human females. Infection of HPV are often symptomless.

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) in the United States recommends quadrivalent human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine for girls and women aged 9 to 26 years, according to guidelines published in the March 12 Early Release issue of the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.


Quadrivalent HPV vaccine is available as a sterile suspension for injection in a single-dose vial or a prefilled syringe, and it is administered intramuscularly as 3 separate 0.5-mL doses. The second dose should be administered 2 months after the first dose and the third dose 6 months after the first dose.

The recommended age for vaccination of girls is 11 to 12 years during the established young adolescent healthcare visit at age 11 to 12 years as recommended by several professional organizations when other vaccines are also recommended.

It is now routinely given in the United States. In New South Wales, Australia quadrivalent HPV vaccines are being offered free to all its female citizens. The vaccine is available in Malaysia. Unfortunately, the government clinics do not offer the vaccine.


I recommend all girls and women be vaccinated against the HPV at 12 years and above. It is rarely that we have a vaccine for prevention of any cancer. The only problem is its cost. At present it cost more than RM$400.00 per dose and a full course is 3 doses. This means it will cost a family RM$1,200.00 + medical doctor charges per female, which makes it beyond the reach of most families. I appeal to the company producing the vaccine to reduce the price on humanitarian grounds.


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From Today's Woman Magazine, The HPV Vaccine