HPV VACCINE!!! Everyone Get It!!!?
May 3, 2009 by admin
I was wondering what everyone's views on this topic are. I mean if you could prevent youself from getting HPV (Genital Warts) and ovarian cancer, Would you?
For all of you who are answering yes. The Vaccine just became available. This vaccine is our opprotunity to wipe ovarian cancer off this earth. So go to your doctor and ask about it.
The vaccine is very good for preventing certain types of HPV. It is NOT a vaccine for ovarian cancer.
Human Papilloma Virus is THE virus that causes cervical warts. It is also a virus that CAN cause cervical cancer. Certain strains (16 and 18) in particular are more likely to cause cervical cancer. They do not cause ovarian cancer. Other strains of HPV are more likely to cause genital warts.
HPV is the #1 KNOWN cause of cervical cancer. However, the MAJORITY of cases of cervical cancer come from other sources (smoking?, other viruses?, other STDs?, radiation?, environmental toxins? – still under study). It will help, but it will be far from a "world-cure" of HPV that the pharmaceutical company suggests. It will not wipe cervical planet off the earth.
The vaccine, like all others, has a low risk of side-effects and the side-effects are limited. In general, it is a good idea for young women to get it (and that's coming from a "neo-con").
Why don't we vaccinate everyone, then? It boils down to a cost-benefit analysis. Sure, you could go ahead and give it to boys aged 9 and up. But, if the girls already have it, then it's real benefit (the cancer prevention) has already been taken care of. You're really just doubling the cost (giving twice as many vaccinations) for the same benefit. Men just don't get cervical cancer. And, although side effects are rare, you are talking about immunizing millions of young boys. There may be a rare reaction (one in 1 million or one in 10 million) that would progress and cause a complication that would end up killing the child.
The bottom line is this:
The cost: You're talking about BILLIONS of dollars spent on vaccines for men and an increased risk of bad side effects. Although the % will be small (lets say 0.1%), the acutal number (0.1% of 10 million = 10,000 boys) is somewhat significant if the benefit doesn't justify it.
The benefits: Young men don't get genital warts, which are rare anyway and moreso in young men. If women get the vaccine, there is no change in the rate of cervical cancers.
The same cost/benefit goes for older adults as well. Since it is an STD, it is most likely acquired in high-risk groups (promiscuous teens having unprotected sex).
In general, it's a GOOD vaccine (not a miracle vaccine) for the group of people that it is intended for. It has been tested on over 20,000 people already and appears as safe as any other vaccine.