NEW RX BATTLES CERVICAL CANCER

    Millions of women's lives could be saved by a new miracle vaccine that wipes out the viruses that cause 70 percent of cervical-cancer cases.

    The vaccine, called Gardasil, is safe and effective and should receive government approval, an FDA advisory panel voted unanimously yesterday.

    Merck, the drug's maker, said the vaccine could slash deaths from cervical cancer - the second most common malignancy in women - by two-thirds.

    The Food and Drug Administration's panel of outside experts voted 13-0 to recommend approval.