FDA Endorses Anal Cancer Vaccine

The FDA has endorsed the vaccine Gardasil as a preventive for anal cancer in young men and women. The drug prevents certain strains of HPV (human papillomavirus) which are known to cause various vaginal, penile, and anal cancers. To be effective, the vaccine must be administered at a young age before sexual activity and HPV infection occurs.

Men who have sex with other men are diagnosed with anal cancer at a higher rate than any other population, but in terms of overall numbers, more women get the disease than do men. Women account for approximately 60% of all cases. Like cervical cancer, anal cancer is strongly linked togher rate than any other population, but in terms of overall numbers, more women get the disease than do men. Women account for approximate several types of human papillomavirus (HPV) infections. The Merck vaccine has been shown to effectively prevent the development of HPV in girls and young women, thereby preventing cervical cancer. The anal cancer studies that Merck presented to the FDA showed a similar positive outcome in the prevention of HPV in men.

Christianist groups like the Family Research Council have long opposed the use of Gardasil in pre-adolescent children, characterizing the drug as "the promiscuity vaccine" because it protects against a sexually transmitted disease. The FRC appears to have softened their stance recently, judging by their just-released fact sheet on Gardasil. However they continue to oppose the routine mass vaccination of school children.

(Tipped by JMG reader Bill)