Senators' bill becomes law Abill sponsored by state Sens. Loretta Weinberg and Ellen Karcher that will educate families about a vaccine to inoculate against the human papillomavirus (HPV), which is linked to the development of cervical cancer, was signed into law last week. "The HPV vaccine may very well be one of the biggest health-care advancements in our lifetime," said Weinberg (DBergen). "We need to spread the word to young women and their families, who can be protected against the dangers of cervical cancer, that this preventive vaccination is out there. By establishing a public awareness campaign and educating families through our schools about this lifesaving vaccine, we can take steps to help eliminate the threat of cervical cancer for generations of women to come." According to a press release, the senators' bill, S-2286, will provide that information regarding the HPV vaccine will be distributed to parents and guardians of seventh- to 12th-graders and to pediatricians. Further, the new law establishes a public awareness campaign, through the Department of Health and Senior Services, to inform the general public about the health implications of HPV, including causes and the most effective means of prevention and treatment. HPV has been detected in more than 90 percent of cervical cancer cases and is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States, according to the press release. While most strains are benign and many clear on their own, certain strains of the disease have serious consequences, such as the development of cervical cancer or genital warts. "With modern medical science, we have the opportunity to protect our daughters and granddaughters from a disease which kills 28 percent of those infected within the first five years, according to the American Cancer Society," said Karcher (DMonmouth and Mercer). "We want people to make the best health-care choices possible and to protect themselves from preventable tragedy. By educating the public about the causes of and treatment options for HPV, we stand to save thousands of women each year from developing cervical cancer." The bill was approved by the Legislature in June.