An advisory panel to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
unanimously recommended the approval of a new vaccine against cervical cancer. The FDA, which usually follows the panel's recommendations, will make a final decision on whether to approve the vaccine for use in the United States in June 2006. The vaccine, called Gardasil, has been shownto be effective at blocking cervical cancers caused by certain strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV), a common sexually transmitted
disease.

While several widely reported studies over the past few years have shown an increased risk of breast cancer among post-menopausal women who take hormone replacement therapy, results of a recent study find that this may not be the case in all circumstances. In an updated analysis of findings from the U.S. government-sponsored Women's Health Initiative study, researchers found that post-menopausal who took estrogen-alone
replacement therapy did not increase their risk of breast cancer. The results contradict the group's previous Estrogen plus Progestin Trial, which found an increase in breast cancer over about 5 years among women taking combined hormone therapy (estrogen plus progestin).

Lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS) refers to a sharp increase in the number, appearance, and abnormal behavior of cells contained in the milk-producing lobules of the breast. Though categorized as a stage 0 breast cancer, LCIS is not considered a cancer. Rather, it is "marker" (a signal) that breast cancer may develop. This article provides information about LCIS and preventative measures to decrease the risk of developing breast cancer.

A clinical trial is an organized research study designed to investigate new methods of preventing, detecting, diagnosing, or treating an illness or disease, such as cancer. Despite the importance of clinical trials to both patients and researchers, a recent survey shows that only 2% to 3% of adult patients participate in clinical trials. This article discusses the importance of clinical trials, how trials are developed and
approved, and the benefits and risks of participating in a trial.