MANILA, Philippines?When celebrity model Tweetie De Leon-Gonzales was approached by pharmaceutical firm Merck Sharp & Dohme for its campaign against cervical cancer, she admitted that she was hesitant at first.

?I had to ask my OB-gyne first, because I really didn?t know much about it yet,? De Leon told the Inquirer. ?I needed to consult about cervical cancer, the issues surrounding it and the possible prevention and cure for it.?

Doubtful at first

De Leon explained that her doubts were mainly on the controversy surrounding cervical cancer vaccine when it was first launched.

?After having been told by my doctor that a lot of Filipinos are suffering from this [condition], I said to myself that I should be a part of this advocacy,? she said. ?Besides, I am also at that stage where I am more prone to different types of cancer.?

To show her support, Gonzales had herself and her daughter vaccinated by MSD?s quadrivalent human papillomavirus (types 6, 11, 16 and 18) recombitant vaccine.

Prevented infection

Recently approved by the Bureau of Food and Drugs, Gardasil can now be prescribed for girls and women aged 9 to 45.

In a briefing hosted by MSD, Dr. Ricardo Manalastas Jr., of the UP-PGH and lead clinical investigator in the Philippines, explained that MSD?s vaccine prevented 91 percent of persistent infection, cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (any grade), and external genital lesions caused by HPV types 6, 11, 16 and 18 compared with placebo, in women aged 25 through 45.

First approved by BFAD in October 2006, MSD?s cervical cancer vaccine is now indicated for the prevention of cervical, vulvar and vaginal cancers, precancerous or dysplastic lesions, genital warts and other infectious diseases caused by HPV.

However, the MSD vaccine is not recommended for use in pregnant women. It is also not intended to be used for treatment of active genital warts, cervical, vulvar or vaginal cancers.

To date, MSD?s vaccine has been approved in more than 102 countries, including the United States, Europe, Mexico, Australia and the Philippines.

The price of the vaccine ranges from P5,000 to P7,000 a shot. MSD also reiterated that in order to get the full benefit of the vaccine one should complete the three recommended doses. Tess Samaniego