T-shirt launch for new cervical cancer jab

Designer Barney Cheng has produced a collection of T-shirts to coincide with the launch of Cervarix, the cervical cancer vaccine competing against widely- used Gardasil.

Cervarix has yet to be approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration, which is seeking additional information from the vaccine manufacturer, GlaxoSmithKline. It is already approved in Europe. GSK says the vaccine has been approved for use in Hong Kong by the Department of Health. Gardasil is made by Merck.

The Department of Health clarified yesterday that the prescription vaccine was registered in December.

Cervical cancer is the third most common cause of death by cancer in the city. Both these drugs, meant for girls and young women, protect against cancer-causing strains of the sexually transmitted human papillomavirus, or HPV. The cancer begins in the cervix - the part of the uterus that opens to the vagina - and becomes more invasive, if left untreated.

The T-shirts have been produced to encourage open discussion about cervical cancer, while also raising awareness of the preventive aspects of the vaccine. Students enrolled in the higher diploma in fashion design and product development program of the Hong Kong Design Institute are also contributing their ideas to the T-shirt collection. The HKDI is a part of the Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education.

Meanwhile, GSK announced last week that Cervarix "is approved for prevention of cervical cancer causally related to HPV types 16 and 18 in women." These two types of HPV are said to account for about 70 percent of cervical cancer cases in Hong Kong.

Apart from the vaccine, physicians also encourage regular cervical screening, to minimize the risk. Screening includes a Pap smear, but these do not detect all pre-cancerous lesions or cancer.

The primary vaccination course for Cervarix is made up of three doses given at birth, one month and six months, according to GSK. Two months ago, GSK received a "complete response letter" from the FDA. The letter generally means there are questions to be answered before approval is granted.

2008-04-26

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