Gardasil Cervical Cancer Vaccine evaluated in New Study

100% of cervical cancers are caused by high risk types of human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV types 16 and 18 cause approximately 70% of cervical cancer cases throughout the world.

In 2006 a vaccine called Gardasil, manufactured by Merck, was approved for use in the United States. Gardasil has been shown to be highly effective in preventing girls and women from becoming infected with HPV.

A new study in the New England Journal of Medicine evaluates the cost effectiveness of the vaccine against cervical cancer for certain groups of women. This study was authored by two researchers at Harvard's School of Public Health. In such a study, the researchers first determined the costs of giving the vaccine and providing lifelong protection against cervical cancer to all girls age 12; to girls 13 to 18 years of age, and to girls and women ages 13-21. Next, they determined the economic costs of not giving them the vaccine by evaluating the costs associated with the numbers of women who would get cervical cancer because they did not get the vaccine. The researchers concluded that the vaccine was cost effective for girls age 12, for girls 13 to 18 years of age, and for girls and women ages 13-21. This study concluded that the vaccine was not economically cost effective for the group of girls and women ages 13-26.

Like all cancers, the earlier cervical cancer is diagnosed and treated, the more likely it is cured.

If you suspect that your cancer was misssed, or not timely and properly diagnosed or treated, please call our team of lawyers and doctors at 412-471-4300, toll free at 800-350-6161, or email us. At Berger & Lagnese, our attorneys specialize in medical malpractice, and work on cases in Pittsburgh, Greensburg, Beaver, Uniontown, Erie, Washington, and all courts in Western Pennsylvania.