(Jan. 11, 2007) Worldwide, cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in women, and it causes an estimated 233,000 deaths each year. According to the American Cancer Society, 9,710 women in the United States are expected to develop cervical cancer annually, from which 3,700 will die. In Minnesota, about 200 women are diagnosed with invasive cervical cancer each year.

Virtually all cervical cancer is caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), which is spread through sexual contact. A new vaccine called Gardasil holds the promise of changing the impact of cervical cancer. The vaccine can prevent the HPV infections that cause 70 percent of cervical cancers.

Cancer researcher Levi Downs, M.D., spoke during a January 18 news conference on the University of Minnesota campus to call attention to cervical cancer prevention and awareness. Other speakers included University of Minnesota Alumni Association Chief Executive Officer Margaret S. Carlson (left), Minnesota Lt. Gov. Carol Molnau, and Amy Clute (right), a U of M senior majoring in family social science and psychology and member of the student organization SHADE (sexual health awareness and disease education). Read UMNnews coverage of the event.