Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) infection is one of the most common types of sexually transmitted diseases – approximately 50% of sexually active women aged 20 to 24 have it. This is why the 2006 approval of the Gardasil HPV vaccination was met with excitement in the US, especially since some HPV types can cause cancers of the cervix, vagina and vulva. The FDA originally approved Gardasil for the prevention of cervical cancer, but it has now expanded its use for the prevention of vaginal and vulvar cancers as well in girls and women ages 9 to 26. The vaccination is ideally given to women who have not yet become sexually active. However, even those who are sexually active can benefit from the vaccine because it protects against the four most common HPV strains that account for 70% of cervical cancers. Full story.
Posts Tagged ‘girl’
September 15, 2008


Dr. Steven Chang, the author of DailyDose, is a staff physician with Kosmix RightHealth. Dr. Chang practices Family Medicine at the University of California Davis Medical Center, where his medical interests include both pediatric and geriatric care, public health, gay and lesbian health, and sleep medicine. Dr. Chang trained at the Stanford University affiliated O'Connor Hospital, and was a research fellow at the National Institute of Health. He holds an M.D. from McGill University and a BA in Public Health from Johns Hopkins University.