UPDATE: The Associated Press is reporting that the FDA panel has approved the HPV vaccine unanimously, and an agency decision is expected by June 8.

New York, NY — Today, a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advisory committee is considering whether to recommend approval of the first vaccine against two types of human papilloma virus (HPV) that cause about 70 percent of cervical cancer cases. Each year approximately 10,000 cases of cervical cancer are diagnosed in the United States, and 4,000 American women die from the disease. Worldwide, cervical cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths among women.

Planned Parenthood Federation of America applauds the development of the HPV vaccine and urges the FDA to give the product a thorough and expedient review. Cecile Richards, president of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, issued the following statement:

"The HPV vaccine should be a top public health priority for the FDA. It is common sense, good medicine and a groundbreaking step forward in the fight against cancer."

"Each year, Planned Parenthood provides more than 1,000,000 women with cancer screenings aimed at early detection to keep them safe. Availability of an HPV vaccine would give future generations the promise of health, safety, and peace of mind."