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9 February 2010
HPV vaccines seem to reduce incidence of other genital diseases 
Writing in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, researchers make the case that human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccinations among young women will result in rapid, wide-ranging reductions in the genital abnormalities that are precursors of cervical, vulvar and vaginal cancers. This study was undertaken to determine if the HPV vaccine reduced the risk of vaginal lesions, Pap test abnormalities and procedures such as colposcopy. The researchers found that vaccination was up to 100 percent effective in reducing the risk of HPV16/18-related high-grade cervical, vulvar, and vaginal lesions and the risk of HPV6/11-related genital warts. Additionally, vaccination also reduced the risk of any lesion, genital warts, Pap abnormalities, and definitive therapy, irrespective of HPV type. The reduction in risk was statistically significant. "Our results provide strong evidence to suggest that the ongoing HPV vaccination programs in adolescent girls and young women will result within a few years in a notable reduction of genital warts, cervical cytological abnormalities, and diagnostic and therapeutic procedures related to precursor lesions in the cervix, vulva, and vagina," the researchers note. "It is anticipated that these reductions will eventually translate into lower rates of cancer." Related
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Source: Journal of the National Cancer Institute
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