Cervical cancer vaccination launched in Sri Lanka

Charmaine FERNANDO

Cervarix, a breakthrough vaccination against cervical cancer was launched in Colombo at the Hilton, by GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals (GSK) following its registration with the Drugs Regulatory Authority. It is the first cancer vaccine made available in Sri Lanka where cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in females.

Approved in 110 countries including USA, EU member countries, Australia, Brazil, South Korea and Taiwan, Cervarix, is used in immunization programs in the UK and the Netherlands. It is also pre-qualified by the World Health Organization for purchase for national immunization programs.

Speaking on the occasion Dr. Kanishka Karunaratne, Consultant Gynaecological Oncoligical Surgeon at the National Cancer Institute, Maharagama, highlighted that

cervical cancer is caused by a virus and is sexually transmitted infecting an Asian woman every four minutes. Women in their 40 to 60 age group have been recorded the high risk group for cervical cancer.

'In Sri Lanka cervical cancer cases are presented late making treatment complicated and the cost is a burden to the State as well as the patients. I see at least two new cases a day.

Besides cervical screening now we have another weapon against the disease. In Sri Lanka 1,250 women are diagnosed annually with cervical cancer and 625 women die of the disease. While Cervarix provides primary prevention. Secondary prevention through regular cervical screening must be continued', he stressed.

'Cervarix will be administered in three injections over a period of six months and is recommended to be given early as possible to girls at age ten upwards before puberty, to achieve best immune response. It will be priced reasonably low in Sri Lanka announced, Managing Director, GSK, Sri Lanka Stuart Chapman.