SINGAPORE - With little known about the number or types of Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) infections in this region, the Singapore General Hospital (SGH) has launched a pioneering study on this "silent disease" among Singapore women.

HPV is a common virus that infects the genital organs, and is implicated in the development of cervical cancer, the sixth most common cancer among women here.

While vaccines against several strains of the virus were recently approved by the Health Sciences Authority, the lack of information has raised doubts as to whether a mass vaccination programme would be costeffective here, said SGH.

That is what the study will set out to determine.

The results would help parents and health policy-makers to decide the age groups of adolescents and adult women who should be vaccinated against HPV infection, said principal investigator ProfTay Sun Kuie, who is a senior consultant with SGH's Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology.

The study will also "be very important in helping us understand why the incidence of cervical cancer remains relatively high in Singapore, compared to other countries of similar economic status such as Australia", Prof Tay added.

HPV is a "silent diseases" that causes a number of diseases without any symptoms, especially with the virus subtypes that causes cervical cancer.

The study also aims to determine the risk factors for HPV hor infection — for instance, hormone use and smoking.

LOOKING FOR 1,800 FEMALE VOLUNTEERS

Participation involves attending a clinic in SGH's Obstetrics & Gynaecology Centre for a brief interview and to have a simple taken for the virus test.

All Singporean women between the age of 15 and 59, who have not had a prior diagnosis of cervical cancer or cervical pre-cancer, can take part. The study had attracted 550 women since it was launced in August.