8 HPV Types Mainly Cause Cervical Cancer

The 8 types of HPV virus are identified that is known to cause most cervical cancer cases around the world. Scientist undergoing research claimed that they explored the types of virus that is known to cause 90 percent of cervical cancer cases and this would prove beneficial in developing the next generation drugs for protection against this cancer.

Some of the renowned drug makers like GlaxoSmithKline and Merck & Co. already developed specific vaccines against HPV strains causing cervical cancer. Cervical cancer stands among worlds second most widespread cancer responsible for 328,000 deaths this year.

Research was conducted based on 60 years of data collected from 38 countries on 10,575 cases of cervical cancer, through which major types of HPV strains was identified that cause invasive cervical cancer. Mainly eight HPV types, i.e. 16, 18, 45, 33, 31, 52, 58, and 35 are said to cause 90 percent of cervical cancer cases.

Cervarix and Gardasil protect against HPV strains 16 and 18. Girls are vaccinated with HPV vaccines before they indulge in sexual intercourse to prevent this STD. The vaccines are mostly used in rich countries compared to poorer countries where they find it too expensive to use. Report suggests that 80 percent of cervical cancer occurs in most of the developing countries and that happens due to transmission of highly infected HPV through sexual acts.