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Cervical Cancer Vaccine
What is it?
Scientists have identified certain types of
the virus human papillomavirus (HPV) as
the leading cause of cervical cancer in
women. Recently the FDA has approved a
vaccine for this virus that will prevent
cervical cancer in women. This is
considered a major breakthrough in
women's health.
The FDA has approved Gardasil for women
age 9 to 26. Worldwide, cervical cancer is
a leading cause of cancer death in women,
the FDA estimates 233,000 deaths per
year. This vaccine will prevent 70% of
cervical cancer
The Issues
There are two issues with the vaccine, the
first is that even though it is approved by
the FDA, the long term effects are not
really known, since the drug has not been
tested on large populations of people over
a long period of time. This is an issue in
states such as Kentucky, where the
government is considering making the
vaccine mandatory for girls in middle
school.
A social issue has also been raised. HPV
is spread through sex. Some say that
curing this virus will lead to more
teenagers having sex (a bit ridiculous,
since the cause and effect of the virus
until recently was reasonably obscure...).
What you should do?
Parents must make their own decision. So
far the FDA has found no ill effects, but the
drug has not been fully tested. We would
recommend that you consult with your
physician to make this decision.
Scientists have identified certain types of
the virus human papillomavirus (HPV) as
the leading cause of cervical cancer in
women. Recently the FDA has approved a
vaccine for this virus that will prevent
cervical cancer in women. This is
considered a major breakthrough in
women's health.
The FDA has approved Gardasil for women
age 9 to 26. Worldwide, cervical cancer is
a leading cause of cancer death in women,
the FDA estimates 233,000 deaths per
year. This vaccine will prevent 70% of
cervical cancer
The Issues
There are two issues with the vaccine, the
first is that even though it is approved by
the FDA, the long term effects are not
really known, since the drug has not been
tested on large populations of people over
a long period of time. This is an issue in
states such as Kentucky, where the
government is considering making the
vaccine mandatory for girls in middle
school.
A social issue has also been raised. HPV
is spread through sex. Some say that
curing this virus will lead to more
teenagers having sex (a bit ridiculous,
since the cause and effect of the virus
until recently was reasonably obscure...).
What you should do?
Parents must make their own decision. So
far the FDA has found no ill effects, but the
drug has not been fully tested. We would
recommend that you consult with your
physician to make this decision.
Cervical Cancer Vaccine Gets
Injected With a Social Issue
FDA Approves Vaccine That
Should Prevent Most Cervical
Cancers
FDA Licenses New Vaccine for
Prevention of Cervical Cancer
and Other Diseases in
Females Caused by Human
Papillomavirus
Bill would make girls get
vaccine, Shots help block
cervical cancer
Injected With a Social Issue
FDA Approves Vaccine That
Should Prevent Most Cervical
Cancers
FDA Licenses New Vaccine for
Prevention of Cervical Cancer
and Other Diseases in
Females Caused by Human
Papillomavirus
Bill would make girls get
vaccine, Shots help block
cervical cancer
Some Press Reports
