Gardasil Hailed as one of the Biggest Research Successes

A national screening program for cervical cancer has been called for by the Well Woman Centre.

This call was made following the announcement that a vaccine against cervical cancer is expected to be available in Ireland in four weeks time.

Doctors have hailed the development of the vaccine, Gardasil, as one of the biggest research successes of recent times.

Details of the vaccine were disclosed at a medical conference in Prague earlier today.

The Medical Director of the Well-Woman Centre, Shirley McQuaid, stated that a national screening program should be made a priority.

Ireland reports one of the highest rates of cervical cancer in Europe with about 70 deaths from the condition each year.

The vaccine will be administered as three doses over six months to girls aged around 12 years and is expected to cost around €300 per course.

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Dr Grainne Flannelly, Consultant Gynaecologist on the Medical Committee of the Irish Cancer Society, said although the development was welcome there were concerns about the cost of the treatment.

Source-Medindia
NLA