Cain, who is chair of the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department at Oregon Health and Sciences University in the United States, was speaking at the release of the ‘€œGlobal Guidance for Cervical Cancer Prevention and Control’€ document where she called for the HPV vaccine to be made available to all countries.

Cain was flanked by the Nobel Prize for Medicine winner Professor Harald Zur Hausen who echoed her sentiments: ‘€œFor the first time we have a feasible protection against cancer,’€ he said, referring to the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccine.

Certain types of HPV are the causative agent of cervical cancer and if administered prior to the onset of sexual activity, offer 100% protection. ‘€œAn interesting point is that unlike all other cancers there is no need for the woman to change her lifestyle (if she has received the vaccine),’€ said Zur Hausen, who first made the link between HPV and cervical cancer, allowing for the vaccine to be developed.

He revealed that the drug companies were initially not interested in developing the vaccine. ‘€œThey soon realised their grave mistake,’€ he smiled.

The vaccine can now protect females from the four types of HPV that cause most cervical cancers and genital warts. The vaccine is recommended for 11 and 12 year-old girls. It is also recommended for girls and women age 13 through 26 who have not yet been vaccinated or completed the vaccine series.

President of the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) Dr Dorothy Shaw revealed that the organisation was taking on the role of advocating for access ‘€“ it has historically been known for its guidance on gynecological cancers, but steered away from advocacy.

‘€œWe are in a position to use the best scientific evidence to inform advocacy and this document is flexible enough to allow any country to address cervical cancer,’€ said Shaw, adding that the long-term vision had to be a commitment to eradicating cervical cancer.

The WHO has endorsed HPV vaccination and the Global Vaccine and Immunisation Alliance has made a commitment to making it available in as many developing countries as possible.

Shaw said the cost of the vaccine had to be brought down. ‘€œIt can be available, as it should be, for everyone,’€ she said.

Professor Suzanne Garland of the Royal Women’s Hospital in Victoria, Australia said more negotiations were needed with the manufacturers with moves to see whether India and China are able to manufacture high quality vaccines at a lower cost.

‘€œIt will have to be U$1 per dose to achieve high coverage and impact,’€ she said.

Garland said they had achieved 80% coverage in their school based programmes and 65% coverage in the catch up (up to age 26) programmes. Early results are showing a 50% reduction in genital warts and herd immunity with a reduction among males.

There is massive differences in costs with three doses of the vaccine currently costing 465 Euros in Germany, U$360 in the United States and U$ in Mexico.

Researchers have also called for more research on whether the vaccine is of benefit to women living with HIV. Some research is showing that the vaccine does offer some immunity prior to HIV and HPV exposure, but that more data is needed before it can be established at what stage the vaccine will offer the biggest benefit.

There is wide acceptance that cervical cancer could be a proximate cause of death among women living with HIV.

FIGO released the guidance document as an update on cervical cancer prevention, screening and treatment strategies. The information provided is relevant to all settings, with an emphasis on low-resource settings where the disease continues to be the largest cause of cancer death among women. It is intended to provide guidance to clinicians and policy makers and inform current and future planning to prevent and control cervical cancer.

The document offers guidelines complimentary to the World Health Organisation 2006 ‘€˜Comprehensive Cervical Cancer Control: A Guide to Essential Practice’€™ and bridges the gap with emerging data now available. This edition of the FIGO document will again be updated in 2011.