A VACCINE against the sexually transmitted virus that triggers cervical
cancer has come closer after successful clinical trials.
The human papillomavirus (HPV) contributes to the development of nearly all
cervical cancer. Infections have soared since the sexual revolution of the
1960s. The introduction of smear tests to detect cancers at an early stage has
prevented an epidemic of the disease in rich countries
(Â鶹´«Ã½, 17 June 2000, p 18),
but effective treatment isn’t widely available in the rest
of the world. Worldwide, 400,000 women develop cervical cancer each year and
200,000 die.
While factors such as genetics…
