If tomorrow’s headlines around the world said, “New vaccine will reduce breast cancer 75% if administered to women between 8 and 13,” parents would be overrunning clinics, medical systems would be flooded and there would be a demand on governments and drug companies to provide this to everyone. That headline is not possible, yet, but there is one almost as good: “Cervical cancer can be reduced 75% by a vaccination of all women between 8 and 13.”
But this is generally being ignored. A few European governments are preparing to vaccinate all girls. In much of the world it is being said that it is too expensive to bother and in the US, I have read, the religious sector is opposing this because it “would encourage premarital sex.” I am depressed. Breast cancer is a cause celebre everywhere in the industrial world but cervical cancer is “down (and in) there" and should not be talked about. Besides, it is believed, if we women would just keep our pants on, it will not be an issue.
Just last week I had to tell a 29 year old mother of two, “You have Stage 4 cervical cancer.” That is the medical way of saying, “You are about to die an unpleasant death.” Selfishly, I hate the days I have to do something like that, but it was a much worse day for her. Had this vaccine been available ten or fifteen years ago, she would likely not have been hearing that horrid news.
The women in the target age group are most likely unaware of what is available and I know few ten year olds who volunteer for a shot. The parents must take some action; schools must take some action; governments must take some action. You, dear reader, must take some action. If you are close to the age group, demand that you be vaccinated; if you have a younger sister, demand that she be vaccinated; if you are still a “young woman,” talk to your doctor. If you have not reached 26 and do not have a checkered sexual history, you may be eligible. Once one of the four strains of HPV that cause cervical cancer has been contracted, the vaccine is ineffective.
Condoms are about 70% effective against HPV. Few men are aware whether they are carriers because the four forms of HPV involved cause no symptoms in men – or if they do, we do not yet recognize them. It is estimated that half of the population carry HPV. Those populations where circumcision is not common have the highest incidence of cervical cancer; where circumcision is common, the lowest.
Deaths from cervical cancer have been falling and that is very good news. The reason is not that infection is dropping but the cancer is being found earlier with pap smears. If you are a woman under 26, do me, but especially yourself, a favor. Forget the cost and get the vaccination.
Sticky this. It's very important to get this vaccination. My mother's a doctor, she recommends it, and frankly, the last conversation I ever want to have with my Doctor is, You've got Cervical Cancer.
I'm in a monogamous relationship, but that doesn't mean I will be forever... nor will I count on permanent faithfulness, as much as I love him, who knows? So getting the vaccination is necessairy.
Thanks for the post Brandye.
I cannot understand in the US we have made madatory for Chicken Pox vaccinations and nearly mandatory meningitis vaccinations; however, there is no madatory vaccination for HVP. The benefits clearly outweigh risks.
Additionally, I realize the sample/test & target group for this vaccination is younger women. But what about the 50 y/o woman who has never been exposed and is re-entering single life? Why is the vaccination not also being extended to this group which is also at risk?
SIRENE don't even go there!!
Incredible.... this is a post that definitely makes me want to spread the word around. May I send it to others via an email? And, if I may, how shall I credit the information?
I believe you have to get Brandye's approval and credit her on the bottom...exactly how to do that part (giving her the credit) she should be able to tell you. It's a really great post.
There have been advertisements about this on television on the Canadian channels but I didn't notice the age thing
Yes, I wouldn't copy or forward it without her permission. Will wait to hear what she says.
[QUOTE=sera300;168348]I cannot understand in the US we have made madatory for Chicken Pox vaccinations and nearly mandatory meningitis vaccinations; however, there is no madatory vaccination for HVP. The benefits clearly outweigh risks.QUOTE]
the reason the HVP isnt mandatory is because the United States's F.D.A is corrupt and they dont see the need to. They have many cures that are 100% natural and safe, but if they started selling them then they would lose all there money and control, so instead they dilute it and add some other chemicals to it and put it on the shelfs.
Think about it, a guy wrote a book called 1000 all natural cures and soon before he started mass production he was told he couldnt put it out there. Why? Because the FDA(Food and Drug Administration) is the one who pays for the governments private jets and other items, and if the government didnt step in then the FDA would lose alot of their money and then the government will lose their benefits aswell.
i recently got one of the three shots for the gardisil [spelling?]. my mom suggested that I should take it, and she's making my little sister start the shots too. Some states have actually made it mandatory that you get some kind of shot like this before you go into high school. I really think that this is a good idea, and I don't think enough women are taking this opportunity.
That's what my doctor had said to me anyway... about the whole mandatory thing...
SEND IT TO WHOMEVER!!!! JUST SEND IT!!! No credit or anything else. The medical news is full of it.
It will not be available to older women because it must be administered before exposure. Given the ways a woman can be exposed and the fact that more than half of the population are infected, it is not considered effective beyond about 26. That may change with additional tests.
I caught a segment on CNN-International (yes, we have that off the satellite) that Merck was stopping its advertising/informing program because of resistance from religious groups and anti-vaccine groups in the US. I love you Yanks, but I cannot understand how the religious so tie up the government of a nation with separation of state and religion. In the UK, we have a national religion but Canterbury has never interposed itself into health care issues.
The FDA has approved this drug and is encouraging use. They are not the problem.
http://www.hpvinfo.ca/hpvinfo/home.aspx
Thank you - I forwarded it on.
Thanks Brandye...
Hi everyone, I have been a lurker here for quite sometime and decided I had a question after reading about Brandye's mention of the 29 year old mother.
I am 29 year's old and a married mother of three. In 1998, I had my annual pap done and it came back that I had dysplasia.
When I went to my OB/GYN for biopsy, I was also informed that I was pregnant. He advised that I should have an abortion because he was unsure how the treatment for the dysplasia would affect the fetus. I followed his advice and then had the treatment. His form of treatment was awful and as well was extremely painful. I found out later that liquid nitrogen therapy had not been done in eons and that laser is what should have been used.
Anyhow, since that horrible experience, I switched doctors due to a high-risk pregnancy and did all my follow up paps. I have not been for one in about 3 years now because I moved to a different province and have to pay for it out of pocket...but I will get it done.
So question: Is dysplasia also caused by HPV? And are my risks of developing cervical cancer greater because of having dysplasia?
Thank you in advance for any answers given, when reading this thread it really made me take notice.
I had the same dysplasia, and also had the cryo done (laser was not available then) which yes is horrible. What I was told, I was at a higher risks for cervical cancer later in life (I was 16 then). Have had normal paps since. I believe HPV is one possible cause for dyplasia (a medical term for abnormal cells--some can be pre-cancerous). I am curious how Brandye answers this b/c no one knew too much years ago. You have to be certain though, w/your history, not to let your paps slip, they are really important.
Thanks for the heads up about the increased risk, it made sense to me but the doc I had was not the most competent. He explained nothing to me. I ended up leaving him for a new GYN when I had Placenta Previa in my last pregnancy. Another condition that he decided I needed to know nothing about. Actually it was he that told me I needed to find another doctor because I was bothering him about my "bleeds". Glad to say, he has since lost his licence to deliver babies.
Anyhow, I would like to hear Brandye's thoughts as well, thanks for responding Sera.
About 80% of those who show non-specific cervical dysplasia do test positive for HPV. We do not know the cause of dysplasia which likely means that, like cervical cancer, it has many causes reinforcing one another. More than fifty percent of the general population will test positive for HPV of one sort or another. Left untreated most who test positive for dysplasia will progress to cancer. This may take ten years depending upon the level of the dysplasia.
If the dysplasia was successfully treated, you are at no higher risk than any other woman for cancer but you should certainly pay attention to your annual pap smear. Laser treatment has pretty well replaced cryo and is not as unpleasant. Of course, the doctor makes a huge difference. I have a preference for women doctors but then I am terribly biased. There are many, many competent male gyn's. A few of you seem to have crossed paths with a few of my less competent colleagues!
So, the short answer is that you should be getting an annual smear but, after successful treatment for the dysplasia, you are not at higher risk. The fact is we all are at risk!!! And should not ignore the annual smear.
yes thats true and they did use a pink hello kitty band aid :)
although i am now experiencing some symptoms that are eerily similar to hpv.... is there any possibility of this being a reaction from the vaccine itself?
my boyfriend is the only person i have ever had sex with (i was a virgin before but had been tested several times for STI's anyway) he was not a virgin but told me he would get tested before we decided to stop using condoms, although i am now having doubts as to whether he really did get tested...
unfortunately i will have to wait until monday to see my gyn so i'm going to be paranoid all weekend about this :(
This is an update for women over 30; younger ones will learn something, too. PAP smears have been a part of the annual gyn exam for a long time. Recently there has been discussion of the anti-viral inoculation to reduce cervical cancer. Now, there is a new test available to be conducted along with the smear.
The pap smear tests for “abnormal cells.” That is, it indicates that the nasty HPVs have already begun their damage. Caught early, treatment is available. The new HPV test indicates the presence of the viruses before any damage has been done. This is recommended for women over 30. The reason that it is not recommended for younger women is that most of us (estimate is 80%) are infected with HPV sometime during our 20s. Most twenty-something women have healthy immune symptoms that fight the virus off in a year or so. Of course, in the meantime we are carriers passing it on to our male friends who, in turn, may share it with another woman. Over 30, the immune system begins to degrade and it may not fight off the HPV. Identifying the presence of the HPV prior to detection by pap smear, makes treatment better, easier and reduces the risk of cervical cancer as we age.
Next appointment, ask your gyn about this.
Cervical cancer risk factors:
Promiscuous sex
Unprotected sex
Promiscuous sex partners
Uncircumcised partners
Smoking
Early age sex
Family history
History of chlamydia or gonorrhea
Lack of regular health care
HPV infection
Many pregnancies
Thank you so much for the information Brandye, I had heard about the vaccination here at the U but there was not much info on it and now u can hardly hear about anything related to it.
I'll look on how to get the shots, however I just have a few questions. Is there any especial care to take after the shot? I mean, because sometimes as we know shots can have some secondary effects after they have been administered. And i'm the queen of the secondary effects -_-:(
There are actually three shots spaced out over several months. Any medication can have side effects. This has very little side effect and I have heard of no serious side effects. The clinic will explain any special care but I am aware of none.
If you have been sexually active, they may do some pretesting.
Thank you for the info Brandye!
Just got the info from my physician about the GARDASIL, now I'm getting my friends to get the shots as well.;) Quite a bit expensive but hey... health is priceless :)
Apparently in Canada they are still in the first stages to push in for a mandatory clause for the vaccine but we'll see.
I found this interesting and it's a matter of time before other's follow suit with getting the vaccination out there and more accessible.
http://www.news-medical.net/?id=23239
Here in Australia the shot is being given to all girls in schools and is paid for by the government. I don't know the ages but it isn't for 8-13 year olds because I'm 16 and getting it through school, but my sister is 12 and cannot get it yet. I know the cut off is 26 though.
For some reason many people are against it. They think it will make young girls think they can have sex without risk of disease. With the amount of sex ed we receive in schools, i dont think so!!
The people who are against it are the ones who will be upset when their children are diagnosed with cervical cancer in a few years time!
You are fortunate in Australia! I am hopeful this clinic in Monte. Hospital is the begining of a trend in the US.
[COLOR="Magenta">I agree this vaccine should be madatory, most will not even know what it's for if it's included with their typical boosters and vaccines. One problem though, the women who already have cervical dysplasia (pre-cancerous cells) are being misinformed. Me for example my doctor has chosen the watch and wait method, hoping the cells repair on their own, relying on my immune system. He also decided for me to start the hpv vaccine, after one vaccine and three months not only did the cervical dysplasia not get better, it got worse, took three second opionons to finally find a doctor that agreed, the vaccine was harming my immune system from repairing what i was trying to prevent with the vaccine, anways point is do you research... always. Also a reason it's not mandatory yet is they are trying to still figure out how this vaccine works. [/COLOR]
[quote=soontobemarried;177155][COLOR=magenta]I agree this vaccine should be madatory, most will not even know what it's for if it's included with their typical boosters and vaccines. One problem though, the women who already have cervical dysplasia (pre-cancerous cells) are being misinformed. Me for example my doctor has chosen the watch and wait method, hoping the cells repair on their own, relying on my immune system. He also decided for me to start the hpv vaccine, after one vaccine and three months not only did the cervical dysplasia not get better, it got worse, took three second opionons to finally find a doctor that agreed, the vaccine was harming my immune system from repairing what i was trying to prevent with the vaccine, anways point is do you research... always. Also a reason it's not mandatory yet is they are trying to still figure out how this vaccine works. [/COLOR][/quote]
Many times vaccinations are not mandatory are for similar reasons the Lyme's vaccination was not mandatory. There are areas in the US where this disease is an epidemic it's not so easily cured. There are serious, life-threatening cases and life altering cases which exists and many go untreated since there is no evidence of a tick bite and the symptoms are vague--not every case is text book. It was made available, urged, and later banned by the FDA and deemed unsafe. Long-term effects of the vaccination have not been viewed/evaluated.
The vaccination is CONTRAINDICATED in women who already have the documented disease, there are many reasons for this. Moreover, having dysplasia should have caused him to perform further testing to r/o HVP as the cause. The main issue with researching the vaccination for ones self is ; how is a "child" supposed to research the indications for the vaccination?
I hope you reported your physician to your state of OP, Office of Professionals, for such conduct and blatant disregard for manufacturer's directions and lack of a detailed appropriate diagnosis. Unfortunately, you had a bad doc, glad to see you found one who will, or has treated, your dysplasia. When a cervical pap is abnormal many either are aggressive or very few now wait to see what happens in the future since there are few other causes, especially these days. BUT a punch BX is indicated and the samples can be sent out for pathology!
I do hope you have had the dysplasia treated either with cryo, leep, or laser.
i just got my 3rd shot yesterday...it was a close call. the nurses told me the 3rd shot was given 6 months after the 2nd one, but its actually suppossed to be 6 months after the 1st, my doctor caught it when i went to get a tetanus booster and happened to be due for my 3rd shot without knowing it.
a warning though, this shot does hurt more than any other shot i've ever had :(
[quote=eminatic;180737]i just got my 3rd shot yesterday...it was a close call. the nurses told me the 3rd shot was given 6 months after the 2nd one, but its actually suppossed to be 6 months after the 1st, my doctor caught it when i went to get a tetanus booster and happened to be due for my 3rd shot without knowing it.
a warning though, this shot does hurt more than any other shot i've ever had :([/quote]
I am certain it hurts a whole lot less then a biopsy of the cervix for a diagnosis and a lot less then and cervical CA treatment therapy. I think it's a pretty simple trade off.
Hey cannot beat those "Hello Kitty" Band aids! I would think since you just had the injection and symptoms you may be having (depending on what they are) may be caused by the injection it's self. Additionally, you did say you had the DT (tetanus).
Most common side effects you would experience from EITHER of them are identical. They are injection site discomfort (itching, swelling, or aching) , low grade fever, vertigo, nausea, mild headaches, fatigue.
If these are not what you are experiencing, what is happening as far as symptoms?
well i'm not having any reaction at the site of injection (other than the fact that my arms are sore :o ) but the following day i noticed a small bump on the outer part of my labia (same color as my skin- it is not causing any pain/itching/irritation) and im seeing what i think are small bumps near the vaginal entrance....but these might also just be tears around my hymen (?) as i am relatively new to sex :confused: ah, i wish monday would come faster because i cant stop worrying
HPV lesions are generally an "ovalish" slightly irregular shaped, flesh-toned, & relatively flat appearing lesion. They are not red or whitish in color. Once they begin they will multiply very quickly. Most women find them because they feel an irregularity in the tactile sensation to the tissue. They can appear on the labia, in the vagina, and in the rectum.
I would wait to see the Gyn on Monday and let them take a look. Don't worry about it for right now, don't panic either. Also, ask your boyfriend if he has anything similar on him.
well my doctor said that it was probably just an inflamed hair follicile (although this confuses me because it was basically at the base of the clitoral hood and last time i checked, no hair grew there :confused: )
I know that there are three shots in the Gardasil regimen. Is it only after the third shot that you are fully protected- that is, if I had the first shot, or the first two shots, and then had (protected) sex, would I still be OK?
I am already seeing the trend of what they were worried about. Girls asking "am I protected?"
Yes you would still be protected against HPV but not against the whole slew of other STDs that are out there!!!
And yes I know there is a long time span between the shots, but why would you even risk infecting yourself during this time when you are trying to take the treatment to prevent it?!?
Full immunity is achieved after the last shot. Otherwise they would stop with just one or two.
There was a recent thread on Gardiisl in which a board member compared it to other vaccines of history and recommended that we wait to see how it works. The board member is a male with a background in security and his concerns were based upon the experiences of a family member who had a severe reaction to the early rubella vaccine. That is a regrettable event.
The rubella vaccine has saved millions of lives world-wide. There is no parallel between the rubella or polio (also cited) vaccines of several decades ago. On an individual level, I can match him story for story about the evils of vaccines and even oral medications. Anything that can cure or prevent can also kill.
He wrapped up his argument by stating that he really does not trust anyone in the medical profession. Next time he gets sick, he can go to health food store.
Gardisil is a wonderful discovery for women. Yes, a few will react to it but the ractions will be short lived. The savings of lives over the next ten years will be dramatic. I recommend to all women who meet the guidelines of my NHS and have fudged a few facts to get it to others. Talk to your doctors and seriously consider it.
how many times do you have to get the shot? I thought it was a one time for life thing? and are they expensive?..i need one
Kelsey,
Coupled with your earlier posts you need education more than a shot. They are a three shot series and with strong possibility that you are pregnant you cannot get one.
how do you know if you have cervical cancer? can you only tell by getting a pap smear?
Unless you wait until it is too late to do anything about it! Get the smear!
Hmm, I'm very curious about the HPV shots, but can't find anything about it. If anyone could help me, that would be great. I'm 17 years old and still a virgin (yes, sexually active, but no full sex yet), and I live in the UK. Does anyone know what my options are, and how to go about them?
You are a prime candidtate for the Gardasil injections. There are three. I highly recommend them for all women who are in the targget group - you are.
Do a search on Gardasil or HPV vaccination.
Thanks =]
I can't find definitive information on where or how I'd get it, though. But I guess I'm just gonna go the whole hog, and contact my GP to see what they have to say. I am very interested in getting this, so we shall see.
That is THE place to start. Community health clinics, women's health clinics, universsity clinics. Just get it done.
Okay, thank you once again =] I will do.
I've read through the whole thread and unless I've missed it, no one has mentioned one very important fact.
Someone did mention the concern that some girls will believe they are "protected" against all the other std's out there because they have gotten the vaccine. What about the girls who believe they are 100% safe from cervical cancer because they got the hpv vaccine. We need to remember that this is not a vaccine for cervical cancer. The vaccine is for HPV. Two very different things.
Having the vaccine and being immune to HPV, does NOT mean you are immune to cervical cancer!
There are many types of cervical cancer and not all of them are caused by HPV. I have friends who told me that they don't need to get their pap anymore because they can't get cervical cancer. Silly me assumed they must have had a hysterectomy or something...but no, they had had the vaccine and therefore believed they were protected from cervical cancer. :eek: That's simply not true.
Another misconception surrounds the list of risk factors. You might be positive for every single risk factor and not get it. BUT, it's just as possible that you can answer no to all of the risk factors and still end up with Cervical Cancer. Risk factors are just sort of a guide that help ppl know what kinds of things may make them more likely to get it. It's not a checklist of causes. You are not safe simply because none of the risk factors applies to you.
When the commercials for the vaccine came out, one of them even made the statement that "all forms of cervical cancer are caused by HVP". That was so wrong and I'm glad that one seems to be off the air.
Everyone needs to remember that the vaccine is great and it will help to protect you. Staying away from the risk factors will also protect you. Of course, that will also protect you from a myriad of sexually related problems. But your biggest protection is early discovery.
If you start having symptoms (pain or achiness in the lower abdomin...can be very slight, bleeding during/after incourse, spotting when it is not close to your period, etc...) please see your GYN asap.
Bleeding from sex isn't usually normal. Well, aside from the first time, that is) Of course there are many possible reasons for bleeding like size issues, tears, rough play, etc... But if you are with a familiar partner and you've never bled before and then you suddenly do with no apparent reason for it. Don't mess around...just go get it checked out.
Pap smears and annual exams are still the best weapon we have against cervical cancer.
Caught early, in most cases cervical cancer can be very treatable. If it is caught too late, you will die from it. :(
You are correct in the annual exam and PAP smear being the best defense against cervical cancer. There are four forms of HPV that are statistically linked to later cervical cancer at a high level of confidence. Gardasil protects against those four strains and is a good protection against much cervical cancer.
You still need the annual PAP at whatever the target age in your particular health care system. I cheat and perform them younger than the limits in the UK NHS.
[QUOTE]I cheat and perform them younger than the limits in the UK NHS.[/QUOTE]
Brandye, that is awesome that you do that!
Granted, I was definitely at a normal age to be getting paps at the time so that wasn't an issue. But my gyn actually told me that I couldn't have cancer because I was simply too young and didn't have any of the risk factors.
The only reason I was finally diagnosed is because I pushed her to really look. I had just recently had a pap when the pain and bleeding went from severe to unbearable. I had had both for 3 years before anyone took me seriously! After my son was born, I never quit bleeding....it was like menstrual spotting but it was constant. And I had mild abdominal pain (that progressible got worse to the point I needed pain meds) that was aggravated by sex. My gyn diagnosed my symptoms as psychosomatic. How the heck could bleeding be in my head?!? The truth was that she just didn't believe me and I was too naive/trusting to know to find a new doctor.
She had been great when I was having my son. I had some complications and she actually spent much of the night sitting on the edge of my bed watching the monitor. So I liked & trusted her....
But she wouldn't take my symptoms seriously after my son was born.
The pain got so bad that I actually considered taking my life because I simply couldn't stand it anymore. My doc accused me of drug seeking and told me I was fine. She said I should be enjoying my son instead of complaining about pain all the time. Huh?!?
I had 3 clean paps during this time, btw. But when it all got so bad that I was doubled over and crying & I finally showed signs of the bleeding when I saw her (somehow, symptoms have a way of clearing up just when it's time to see the doc...lol) , she agreed to do another pap (she used a different kind of test the last time) and that one came back suspicious. Each new procedure/test that was done showed more bad cells until I was finally diagnosed.
I can't help but think if she had done that pap with the new test (the name is on the tip of my tongue...) earlier that my cancer might not have been invasive when it was finally caught. I had been begging for 3 years for someone to do something...going back and forth between her and my gp.
I was lucky that they were able to successfully treat me. My gyn started out saying she could treat me herself but I insisted on a gyn oncologist. My gyn told me after the fact that I had been correct on that. I went to a very good doctor for treatment and I'm cancer free now. However I've been plagued by chronic pain since then. RSD/CRPS and adhesions is the official diagnoses. Probably caused by numerous abdominal surgeries, including the radical hysterectomy. I'm on pain meds now and probably will be for life unless someone can cure it which isn't possible now. I'm hopeful something will come up in the future that will help, though.
Yikes....my point when I started this babbling was just to say that I was told by 2 doctors not to worry because I was too young (28) for cervical cancer and none of the risk factors applied to me...including testing negative for hpv. I had been tested a couple of times previously and also by my gyn when we were looking for answers to begin with.
Obviously, I wasn't too young and it is possible to get cervical cancer without the risk factors applying since I received a radical hysterectomy for my 29th birthday. Not exactly the gift I asked for....
There is no age too young for cancer. My sister has uterine cancer, and she's 34. (was diagnosed at 33). She was on depo for years and they don't understand how she got the tumor since its suppose to prevent cysts for the most part. :(
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