WHO makes cervical cancer protection easier, cheaper

An estimated 270,000 people die each year from the cancer, of which 85 per cent are in the developing world where many have limited access to healthcare and struggle to afford the vaccine.
In launching new guidance at the World Cancer Congress in Melbourne, the health agency said it now recommended nine to 13-year-old girls should receive two doses of the HPV vaccine, rather than the previous three.
The vaccine prevents infection with the human papilloma virus, the virus responsible for most cases of cervical cancer, and studies had shown that reducing to two doses was as effective as three.
The WHO said the change would make it easier to administer the vaccine and cut costs.
"WHO's updated cervical cancer guidance can be the difference between life and death for girls and women worldwide," said Nathalie Broutet, a leading WHO expert on cervical cancer prevention and control.
"There are no magic bullets, but the combination of more effective and affordable tools to prevent and treat cervical cancer will help release the strain on stretched health budgets, especially in low-income countries."
 She added that this could contribute "drastically to the elimination of cervical cancer".