Cervical Cancer Scientist Shares Nobel Prize for Medicine
The Karolinska Institute in Stockholm has named German virologist Harald zur Hausen a winner of the 2008 Nobel Prize for Medicine. Dr zur Hausen was recognized for his discovery of the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), a virus known to cause cervical cancer, the second most common form of cancer in women.
Dr zur Hausen discovered type 16 HPV in 1983 by studying the biopsies of women diagnosed with cervical cancer. A year later, he cloned HPV types 16 and 18, the two forms of the virus responsible for approximately 70 percent of cervical cancer cases. His research led to the development of a vaccine to help prevent cervical cancer.
Dr zur Hausen will share his award with two French virologists, Dr Francoise Barre-Sinoussi and Dr Luc Montageir, who are both credited with discovering the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) responsible for causing AIDS.
The 2008 Nobel Prizes for physics, chemistry, literature and peace are scheduled to be announced later this week.
To read more about the amazing scientists and discoveries that have earned the prestigious Nobel Prize, check out NobelPrize.org.
If you’d like to learn about other cervical cancer risk factors, you can visit MayoClinic.com.
Source: The New York Times
Related Links: Reuters; Gynecologic Cancer Foundation
Related Podcast: Nobel Prize in Medicine for Major Virus Discoveries from NPR
Tags: epidemiology; female cancers; Gardasil, gynecologic cancer; reproductive health; public health; sexually transmitted diseases; women’s health
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