Researchers found that if local women knew more about the vaccine, which greatly reduces the risk of cervical cancer, most would opt to receive it and have it administered to their daughters. But the same study also shows that women have many misconceptions about the disease.

The vaccine, introduced in the SAR earlier this year, provides immunity against two strands of the human papillomavirus, or HPV, which together account for more than 70 percent cases of cervical cancer.

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Worldwide, a woman dies of cervical cancer every two minutes.

In Hong Kong, there were 439 new cases of cervical cancer in 2004, and 128 deaths resulting from the disease, making it the fifth most common form of cancer among women in the city.

Researchers say each of these cases is a tragedy that could have been averted. "Cervical cancer is one of the easiest cancers to prevent," said Annie Cheung Nga-yin, a professor of pathology at the university.

HKU researchers, who surveyed more than 1,500 women and held separate discussions with 113 other women and girls, found that many women falsely attributed cervical cancer to environmental and lifestyle factors. These included air pollution, radiation, or eating too much fast food, without realizing that only someone persistently infected with HPV can develop cervical cancer.

Of the respondents, 81 percent correctly identified having multiple sexual partners as a risk factor for developing the disease. "But this points to the probable misconception that `normal' women do not contract HPV," Cheung said. "In fact, any sexually active woman can contract HPV."

Previous research has shown that many women who have no other sexual partners are infected by their own husbands with the HPV virus.

More than half of respondents had not heard of the groundbreaking vaccine. But given some information about it, 87 percent said they would consider being vaccinated.

"With better public education about cervical cancer and the HPV virus, I'm confident that most women would accept the vaccine," said Hextan Ngan Yuen-sheung, professor of gynaecology at HKU and chairman of the Family Planning Association of Hong Kong.

But she added that the vaccine cannot replace regular pap smears, which detect the abnormal cells that sometimes become cancerous.

A few conservative advocacy groups in the United States have argued against administering the vaccine to children, on the grounds it encourages premature sexual experience and promiscuity. Critics say the vaccine does not protect against other sexually transmitted infections or against pregnancy.

The survey found that Hong Kong mothers do not share those concerns. Most mothers in the focus groups would want their daughters to receive the vaccine. "I would tell her the vaccine can prevent some diseases ... but I would skip the sex part," said one mother.

Ngan said cost might be a deciding factor, especially for young women. However, researchers recommend administering the vaccine earlier, since it is most effective when administered to girls or young women who have never been sexually active. The vaccine costs at least HK$3,000 for three doses administered over six months.

Peter Lee Wing-ho, professor of psychiatry at HKU, cautioned that the vaccine cannot replace the use of contraceptive methods such as the condom. "There is no safe sex - only safer sex," he said.

The United States' Centers for Disease Control and Prevention state that "a long-term, mutually monogamous relationship with an uninfected partner is the strategy most likely to prevent future genital HPV infections."