Scientists link
HPV to additional types of cervical cancer

Studies have already linked certain strains of the sexually transmitted human papillomavirus to the majority of the world's cervical cancer cases, but researchers in Africa, South America, and Asia now report in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute that the STD also is linked with an unusual form of the disease called cervical adenocarcinoma, Newsday reports. Their studies showed that women infected with certain strains of HPV were 80 times more likely to develop cervical adenocarcinoma than were women who were free of HPV infection.

The discovery means that several HPV vaccines currently in human studies that were estimated to prevent up to 70% of cervical cancer cases could actually prevent up to 86% of such cancers. One such vaccine candidate, Merck's Gardasil, has been submitted for Food and Drug Administration review and could be approved and on the market by the end of the year.

Cervical cancer is an AIDS-defining condition among HIV-positive women. (Advocate.com)