Hong Kong Cancer Fund Advocates Dual Protection in a bid to Ensure Lifelong Protection against Cervical Cancer
Hong Kong Cancer Fund's cervical cancer awareness campaign kicks off today, advocating the importance of dual protection in ensuring lifelong protection against cervical cancer.
Sponsored by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) and supported by celebrity Ambassador Ms. Kay Tse, the Cancer Fund recommends women undergo regular Pap Tests (cervical screenings) and receive the cervical cancer vaccination to maximize protection against cervical cancer.
As the 5th most common form of cancer diagnosed amongst women in Hong Kong, with more than 450 new cases of cervical cancer being diagnosed in every year, Cancer Fund is helping to boost rates of early detection and educate women about valuable forms of protection available against cervical cancer.
The majority of cervical cancer cases are caused by a common and contagious virus, the human papillomavirus (HPV). There are over 100 identified types of HPV, most of which are harmless and show no symptoms. However, two strains of HPV (types 16 and 18), transmitted through sexual contact, are known to cause more than 70% of all cervical cancers worldwide. The cervical cancer vaccine has the potential to block HPV 16 and 18, hence reducing the probability of developing cervical cancer.
Cancer Fund's Chairman Sally Lo said: "This new campaign is an opportunity to tell women about more available options when it comes to cervical cancer prevention. For many years, we've been heralding the importance of regular cervical screenings to ensure early detection and treatment. But now that the cervical vaccine is available, we want women to make use of this additional form of protection, doubling their defence against ever developing cervical cancer."
GSK's Vaccine Director, Ms. Margaret Cheung said: "Benefits of the cervical cancer vaccine are new to the public, and we want to educate both young women and mothers of adolescents about it, as it is best administered to girls between the age of 10 and 25. The vaccine has the ability to block two major strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV) type 16 and 18, which is responsible for 70% of cervical cancer cases, and is able to generate the longest duration of sustaining antibodies and protection reported with a cervical cancer vaccine to date." said Ms. Cheung.
Medical expert Prof. Hextan Y. S. Ngan, Clinical Professor and Head of Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology at The University of Hong Kong Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, applauded the merits of Cancer Fund's new cervical campaign, citing the value of dual protection.
"Even though cervical cancer is one of the most treatable forms of cancer when detected early, the cervical vaccine provides an added layer of protection for women who have ever had sex by blocking key strains of HPV that are known to cause 70% of cervical cancer cases," remarked Prof. Ngan.
"It makes absolute sense to advocate the cervical vaccine in conjunction with regular cervical screenings, as it will bring us another step closer towards minimizing the incidence of cervical cancer in our community," Prof. Ngan added.
Cancer Fund's cervical cancer campaign will include a wide range of promotional channels, including a TVC featuring Ms. Kay Tse to air on TVB Jade and Now TV, print ads, outdoor billboards, and online advertisements on Hong Kong's popular female forum she.com.
To know more about "Cervical Cancer Campaign 2009", please visit: http://www.cancer-fund.org/cervical
