A research by scientists at National Cancer Institute in Bethesda, Maryland, suggests that it may take longer to clear a cervical cancer virus from women who smoke cigarettes compared to those who don't. The findings of the study are published in July's edition of American Journal of Epidemiology.

According to Dr. Jill Koshiol and colleagues, at least 70 percent of sexually active women will become infected with human papillomavirus (HPV) at some point in their lives

Researchers at University of Washington conducted a landmark study and found that women whose partners use condoms are 70 percent less likely to be infected with the human papillomavirus or HPV than women whose partners did not use condoms. The virus known to be sexually transmitted is associated with the cause of cervical cancer.

Lead researcher of the study which is published in the June 22 New England Journal of Medicine Rachel Winer said, "The message is that women can significantly reduce their risk of HPV infection by using condoms consistently with their male partners but it's not 100 percent effective. Other preventive measures, including regular screenings, are still very important

The first vaccine for cervical cancer is approved by the US.

Cervical cancer afflicts 290,000 women a year globally

Washington, DC (AHN)-The first vaccine to protect against most cervical cancer won federal approval Thursday.

Merck and Co. Inc. says the vaccine Gardasil, approved for use in girls and women ages 9 to 26, prevents infection by four strains of the human papillomavirus, or HPV, the most prevalent sexually transmitted disease

GlaxoSmithKline Plc released results from a trial Saturday on a vaccine to prevent infection of the human papillomavirus in girls age 10 to 14.

The data suggests that the Cervarix vaccine provides the strongest and most-prolonged protection if its given to girls at young ages, before they even encounter sexually transmitted diseases, reports Reuters. The girls given the vaccine had immune responses twice as strong as women 15-25 years of age given Cervarix