The vaccine was developed by an Australian (whose since been awarded the Australian of the Year award), so we've heard a bit about it here. The vaccine is for HPV, so it's not really a vaccine for 'cancer', but apparently most cervical cancers originate in women who have had HPV earlier in their lives. In Australia they are suggesting it's useless to give older women the drug as a significant proportion of older sexually active women have already been in contact with or had HPV without even knowing it. It's going to be most useful for future generations of women, those who have been practising safe sex (using condoms) and will generally be given to young females before becoming sexually active.

It is in no way to be used as an alternative to regular PAP smear tests.

Mags...