The Path organization is preparing to pilot a cervical cancer vaccine in four developing countries, including Vietnam. This disease ranks second among cancers affecting women, with tens of thousands of new cases diagnosed each year.
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HPV Virus (Image: med-ars) |
Every year, nearly half a million women worldwide are diagnosed with cervical cancer, resulting in approximately 270,000 deaths. About 85% of these fatalities occur in developing countries. In Vietnam, there are dozens of new cases diagnosed annually, making it the second most common cancer among women, following breast cancer.
The genital HPV virus is responsible for the majority of cervical cancer cases, with types 16 and 18 accounting for up to 70% of all cases globally. Consequently, a vaccine against this virus is effective in preventing cervical cancer, as demonstrated by clinical trials around the world.
With a funding of $27.8 million from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Path will pilot the cervical cancer vaccine in India, Peru, Uganda, and Vietnam. These countries were chosen due to their commitment to preventing cervical cancer and their effective childhood vaccination programs. The lessons learned from this study could be applied to other developing nations where cervical cancer is also prevalent.
H.H
