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This is Steve Ember with VOA Speical English Development Report.
Research scientist had developed an experimental treatment to protect women against cervical cancer. A new study found the treatment kept almost everyone tested safe from infections that lead to the disease. The medical publication Lancet Oncology reported on the study. Experts say more than 200,000 women die from cervical cancer every year. These deaths are most common in developing countries.
The main cause of cervical cancer is the human papilloma virus or HPV. This is a common virus that people can give each other through sex activities. HPV usually is harmless and disappears in healthy women, but if it remains in the body the virus greatly increases the chances of cervical cancer. The cervix is part of the female reproductive system; it is the opening at the end of uterus. HPV infections are responsible for Genital Warts. These growths on reproductive organs can lead to cervical cancer.
Cervical cancers develop slowly, usually over a period of 10 or 20 years. There are tests that can find the disease early enough to save a woman's life. A common test is called a Pap smear. Laboratory workers examine cells under a microscope. The Luisa Villa of the Ludwig institute for cancer research in Brazil organized the new study. It involved 552 women from Brazil, Europe and the United States. About half of them were given repeated injections of the treatment or vaccine. The other half received a harmless substance or placebo. Researchers observed the two groups for three years. During that period, the women received repeated Pap smears.
HPV tests also were performed. The researchers say the vaccine was effective in preventing infection from four forms of HPV. Doctor Villa and her team find the vaccine was 90 percent effective in preventing majority of viral infections. They also say it was 100 percent effective in preventing genital warts and cervical lesions which can lead to cancer. More studies will be done to test the effective of the vaccine. One drug maker Murk is expected to ask the United States Food And Drug Administration to improve the vaccine later this year. If approved, it may be offered as early as next year.
This VOA Special English Development Report was written by Joe Mars. this is Steve Ember. | 
