Health trends

Gardasil approved for prevention of anal cancer

The United States Food and Drug Administration recently approved the vaccine Gardasil for the prevention of anal cancer and associated precancerous lesions caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) types 6, 11, 16, and 18 in people aged nine to 26 years.

Gardasil is already approved for the same age population for the prevention of cervical, vulvar and vaginal cancer and the associated precancerous lesions caused by HPV types 6, 11, 16 and 18 in females. It is also approved for the prevention of genital warts caused by types 6 and 11 in both males and females.

"Treatment for anal cancer is challenging. The use of Gardasil as a method of prevention is important, as it may result in fewer diagnoses and the subsequent surgery, radiation or chemotherapy that individuals need to endure," said Karen Midthun, MD, director of the FDA's Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research.

Although anal cancer is uncommon in the general population, the incidence is increasing. HPV is associated with approximately 90 per cent of anal cancer. The American Cancer Society estimates that about 5,300 people are diagnosed with anal cancer each year in the United States, with more women diagnosed than men.

Source: US Food and Drug Administration