HPV

HPV

HPV Statistics
According to a recent survey documented by Mike Stobbe, a Chicago Tribune analyst, 80% of American women will have contracted at least one strain of HPV by age fifty.(Stobbe, 2008) However, there are over 100 different kinds of HPV and most cause no health problems at all. Although most women infected with HPV don’t have complications from the virus, every year, about 12,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer and almost 4,000 women die from the disease in the United States. Worldwide, there is an estimated 470,000 new cases of cervical cancer that result in 233,000 deaths per year, consequently, making it the second-leading cause of cancer deaths in women. With cervical cancer at its unprecedented high, receiving the HPV Vaccine is an imperative stage in a young woman’s life, and must be taken advantage of to ensure sexual protection.

Defining HPV
What is HPV exactly? HPV stands for human papillomavirus, and this virus infects the cells of the cervix during sexual activity. Martee L. Hensley, a Harvard School of Public Health graduate, states that while 70-90 percent of these infections go away without treatment, the virus may persist in 10-30 percent of cases. Additionally, when the virus persists, there is an increased risk for cancer and genital warts. As previously mentioned, there are over 100 different strands of HPV, but only four are potentially life threatening; Serotypes 16, 18, 11, and 6. Denise Grady of the New York Times states that HPV types 16 and 18 cause about 70% of cervical cancers, and types 11 and 6 cause about 90% of genital warts. (Grady, 2001) However, with a simple three stage vaccination that requires three shots in 6 months, women can become immune to these life threatening serotypes. The vaccines are designed to be taken by women between the ages of 9 to 26, and the price is 375$ for the full series. In an Action Seven News special conducted by Doctor Barry Ramo, a medical breakthrough analyst, Doctor Ramo discusses his initial concerns with the HPV vaccination. During this interview, Doctor Barry Ramo shared that he was originally alarmed about the HPV vaccination because there was no outcome data, and the health risks associated with the vaccine were not yet identified. However, after considerable testing, Doctor Ramois now an advocate of the vaccine and believes it is, “A good thing to do”. The interview also outlinedthePap smear, and it’s relation to HPV. A Pap smear is a test used to look for changes in the cells of the cervix that show cervical cancer or conditions that may develop into cancer.

HPV Misconceptions
So why hasn’t every woman in the approved age group received the HPV vaccination? Some women believe that because they are practicing safe sex with a condom, it is impossible to contract any type of HPV. It is not known how much condoms protect against HPV, but areas not covered by a condom can be exposed to the virus. Some groups have suggested in news articles that giving girls HPV vaccinations will encourage under-age sex. However, in a survey conducted by Cancer Research UK scientists, 75 percent of mothers said they want their daughters to receive the HPV vaccination and only a small minority of mothers were worried that the vaccination would encourage promiscuity. Another factor associated with not receiving the vaccination is the lucrative 350$ price. However, children ages 18 and younger may be eligible to get the vaccine for free through the Vaccines for Children program if they are Medicaid eligible, uninsured, or American Indian or Alaska Native. Another common misconception is the health risks associated with the vaccine. Tests provided by the Food and Drug Administration showed only minor problems such as a headache, slight fever, or nausea. Some also experienced redness, bruising, pain or swelling on their skin when they initially received the shot; No life threatening side effects.

Communicating HPV
However, the number one reason women don’t receive the HPV vaccination is because of their lack of knowledge on the topic. Although HPV is not a new virus, many people are unaware of its existence because it doesn’t show many signs, and may go away on its own. Doctor and patient communication needs be utilized more, so these sexual health problems are not. Also, people tend to ignore sexual health problems because of the misconception that they will be judged by their peers. However, it is imperative to be frequently checked if an individual lives a sexual lifestyle, so they are not transferring sexual diseases to other people. A study performed by New York’s Cornell Medical Center revealed that only three out of every ten women in the approved age group have received the vaccine so far. There is no denying the 233,000 deaths per year associated with this epidemic. Cervical cancer is at its unprecedented high. The question is what are you going to do about it?

**References** 1. Stobbe, Mike. Study: HPV Vaccine Prevents Genital Warts in Males. Chicago Tribune. November 14, 2008. 2. Rosenthal, Elisabeth. Researches Question Wide Use of HPV Vaccines. New York Times. August 20, 2008. 3. Brody E., Jane. Getting to Know a Virus and When It Can Kill. New York Times. October 18, 2005. 4. Stobbe, Mike.Study Says HPV Vaccine Prevents Male Genital Warts; vaccine maker hopes to market shot to boys. Chicago Tribune. November 13, 2008 5. Grady, Denise. Study Suggests New Option for Women with Abnormal Pap Tests. New York Times. February 21, 2001. 6. Weill Cornell Medical College. http://www.med.cornell.edu. 2009