General Medicine

» tinuviel - Tips to Decrease Your Cancer Risk

Why do they want to make it compulsory to girls of that particular age (11 to 12)?

-- posted by tinuviel

» redback - Tips to Decrease Your Cancer Risk

In response to Tips to Decrease Your Cancer Risk posted by P_Al:

"..There is also an HPV vaccine that is available in the USA "

Yep...that's the one. It was created in the USA but not without "...research done by Professor Ian Frazer of Australia..." through our Commonwealth Serum Laboratories.

Collaboration. Some might say OZ brains + USA money.

Compulsory?? Sometimes strategies (including advertising) behind public health programs are self defeating. Making anything compulsory is bound to raise hackles with non-compliance simply because of that edict. We never had Prohibition but who knows why foreign countries policies on any matter are the way they are.

Here, the entry age relates to the research showing it's highest efficacy is the pre-sexual activity female. Research continues for its efficacy and safety beyond that.

Here, the treatment of cancer, like any illness, like any STD, can be totally free under Medicare. So, at the lowest denominator, it makes sense if the government simply wants to reduce the costs for taxpayers if individuals can't or won't see the health benefits.

But tis a difficult issue. Getting the flu vaccine is not compulsory here. Me getting the flu is almost mandatory when some members of the public with the flu show reckless indifference in my presence. Do other viruses cause other cancers and how are they spread?

-- posted by redback

» tinuviel - Tips to Decrease Your Cancer Risk

In response to Tips to Decrease Your Cancer Risk posted by redback:

I don't know about other viruses and cancer. I'll leave that to the professional. But your post might have answered my question regarding the target age for the vaccine in the U.S. I suppose targeting 11-12 year olds gives them a better chance of treating women who have not yet begun engaging in sexual activity.

I have another question, however. From the commercials on television, I learned that HPV is present in all women, but just does not harm most of them. If that is true, then why is a vaccine even necessary? Doesn't the vaccine just introduce the virus in a less harmful form so that the immune system can produce antibodies? Does the vaccine prevent cancer all the time, or just sometimes. If just sometimes, isn't it possible that it is targeting the very same persons who would not have developed cervical cancer in the first place?

This is all conjecture though, so feel free to blow me completely out of the water.

-- posted by tinuviel

» P_Al - HPV Vaccination

In response to Tips to Decrease Your Cancer Risk posted by redback:
As you said the vaccine has been well tested in the 9-26 age range. The recommendation for 11-12 year olds is based on the goal of immunizing girls before they become sexually active and therefore become at risk of acquiring the HPV infection. The vaccine protects against 4 strains of the virus which are responsible for about 70% of cervical cancer and 90% of genital warts. You can read the CDC article below for details. http://www.cdc.gov/std/hpv/STDFact-HPV-v...
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Anything compulsory will tend to draw resistance. However, I believe that most parents would opt for it redardless, once they are properly educated about it.
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In terms of viruses and cancer. There are several associations e.g. HIV, HPV and Hepatitis B spread sexually and EB virus spread via the saliva. See my article below;
http://cancer.suite101.com/article.cfm/t...

-- posted by P_Al

» P_Al - Importance of HPV vaccine

In response to Tips to Decrease Your Cancer Risk posted by tinuviel:

Even though only a small percentage of women with HPV develop cervical cancer, the number is still significant. From a cost/effectiveness point of view, it is cheaper to vaccinate all young girls and prevent a large proportion of cancer cases, than to diagnose and treat those cases.

The vaccine should prevent most women from acquiring the strains that cause cervical cancer. It is reported to be near 100% effective - See article http://www.cdc.gov/std/hpv/STDFact-HPV-v... Unlike the natural virus that causes cervical cancer and genital warts, the vaccine triggers an immune response but does not cause disease.

-- posted by P_Al

» redback - Tips to Decrease Your Cancer Risk

In response to Tips to Decrease Your Cancer Risk posted by tinuviel:

I think Paul has mostly answered your question. I don't think it can be assumed all women have HPV let alone the four (out of over 100) HPV strains that the vaccine restricts itself to.

My understanding is that HPV is present as an almost 'normal' -consequence of sexual activity ie in about 75% of sexually active women. An authoritative site, more objective than TV ads:
http://www.breastscreen.info.au/internet...

There needs to be some statistical caution with global percentages (average %) across the age range 11 to 26. And when we try to isolate greater risks on the likelihood of HPV-related cervical cancer or the likelihood of other HPV "harm'.

"..Does the vaccine prevent cancer all the time...?"

Within the research criteria, a 100% success rate. Fantastic odds given the scale of the research...12,000 women aged 12-26 over 13 countries over 2 years.

Here's the official info on side effects etc:
http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2...

There are universal cautions for all vaccinations so Gardasil is not unique.

Paul...even well informed people baulk at vaccinations because of a risk of adverse effects. Childhood immunisations is one example here despite it being linked to a 'carrot' of government payments. Even our Federal Health Minister stated he wouldn't be rushing out to get his 3 teenage daughters vaccinated with Gardasil. Go figure!

I'm probably over-killing with hotlinks but this one covers the ethics of compulsory vaccinations from a medical POV:
http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/full...

"... isn't it possible that it is targeting the very same persons who would not have developed cervical cancer in the first place?"

That would be a universal program. My understanding of the definitions is this is a selective program, not universal. It targets healthy subjects but most at risk. In some situations, maybe it should sadly be available to 9-year olds?

-- posted by redback

» tinuviel - Tips to Decrease Your Cancer Risk

In response to Tips to Decrease Your Cancer Risk posted by redback:

Thanks for the links. I read the ones you both provided. They cleared something up for me: HPV is a straight STD, and I didn't know that. It appears that people who are not sexually active don't have to worry about it at all. However, it does give a bit of a cause to worry, as it seems you can still catch it if you and your sole partner are faithful, as the virus can survive hidden for months or years. I guess the only way to get out of having the virus at all (and still have any kind of relationship) is to get into one with someone who has abstained all his/her previous years. Of course, you'd have to do that too.

Is there any way at all to get the virus from non-sexual activity, though? I read that even condoms might not protect from the virus as they do not cover all of the skin area. Then, what about clothing--trying on trousers that others have tried on in stores? Can HPV survive in fabric?

-- posted by tinuviel

» tinuviel - Importance of HPV vaccine

In response to Importance of HPV vaccine posted by P_Al:

Also, it seems that at my age I have only about six months before I can't get the vaccine anymore. And I'd probably have to start today since the series takes that long to complete. My question is this: Is there any indication that the vaccine is available outside the U.S., Australia, and those first-world type countries? Would it be, for example, available in Jamaica, which is where I live.

Plus, $360 is a pretty hefty bill. What would such a vaccine cost in my country? Is there any way to find out--apart from going to the doctor here, which would also incur a bill?

-- posted by tinuviel

» P_Al - Tips to Decrease Your Cancer Risk

In response to Tips to Decrease Your Cancer Risk posted by tinuviel:

HPV is spread primarily through skin to skin contact usually through sexual activity. Such spread can occur from visible warts as well as in the absence of warts, hence the danger.
However, there are less frequent modes of spread. For example mother to fetus (uncommon) as well as from warts on the soles (gym, public showers etc).

In terms of cost, that can be prohibitive in many developing countries. I am not sure about the availability within the Caribbean. If I get any further info I will post it here.

-- posted by P_Al

» tinuviel - Tips to Decrease Your Cancer Risk

In response to Tips to Decrease Your Cancer Risk posted by P_Al:

I found something regarding the availability of the vaccine in the Caribbean. It doesn't actually help me, but if a Bajan happens to come by this site, they'll be informed. But look at the price on this one. You'd think it would be reduced for the developing world. Instead, it's doubled! Of course, that's assuming the price here is quoted in US dollars...

http://www.caribimpact.net/v3_52_caribbe...

-- posted by tinuviel