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The role of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine in developing countries
Author(s) -
Kling Max,
Zeichner Joshua A.
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
international journal of dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.677
H-Index - 93
eISSN - 1365-4632
pISSN - 0011-9059
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-4632.2010.04316.x
Subject(s) - medicine , cervical cancer , developing country , incidence (geometry) , vaccination , developed country , population , human papillomavirus , cancer , cancer incidence , demography , environmental health , gynecology , virology , economic growth , economics , physics , sociology , optics
Cervical cancer is a preventable health problem, yet is the second most common cancer of women worldwide. More than 80% of cases occur in developing countries, and this is expected to increase to 90% by the year 2020. The five‐year survival rate of patients in developing countries is less than 50%, compared to 66% in developed nations. A worldwide HPV vaccine program would significantly reduce the spread of HPV 16 and 18 and lower the incidence of cervical cancer. Mathematical models have determined that vaccinating 66% of the population will decrease the incidence of cervical cancer by 80% over the next 40–60 years. For every five‐year delay in a cervical cancer prevention/detection program, there will be an additional 1.5–2.0 million deaths. The introduction of a vaccination program will be a challenge due to high costs, unknown durability of the vaccine, and the potential for new oncogenic strains to emerge. A global effort will be required to eliminate cervical cancer from developing counties.