FDA panel recommends approval for cervical cancer vaccine.

Byline: Judith Graham

CHICAGO _ In a major advance for women's health, a Food and Drug Administration advisory panel recommended Thursday that the agency approve a new vaccine against a sexually transmitted virus that causes cervical cancer.

The unanimous recommendation inspired cheers from the medical community, which said the vaccine could help save the lives of tens of thousands of women worldwide.

"This gives us the tools to begin to wipe out cervical cancer not only in the United States but across the globe," said Dr. Yvonne Collins, assistant professor of gynecologic oncology at the University of Illinois at Chicago.

The FDA usually follows the recommendations of its advisory panels. It is expected to approve the vaccine in early June.

Despite earlier concerns about the vaccine's potential impact on young people's sexual behavior, conservatives applauded the development. "It's a huge medical breakthrough," said Linda Klepacki, an analyst who covers sexual health for Focus on the Family.

For the cancer community, "this is a watershed event .…