HPV vaccine and your daughter: yes or no?
Tammie Smith
Aug 28, 2009
HPV is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections. HPV infection has been linked to cervical cancer in women, penile cancer in men and oral cancer in men and women.
This week’s health Q & A in the Times-Dispatch focuses on Gardasil, the only vaccine for HPV currently available in the United States. Other vaccines are in development.
While public health and medical officials welcome the vaccine, the drug company’s aggressive marketing turned many off. Pediatrician Colleen Kraft helps interpret a recent federal analysis of adverse events to the vaccine.
Photo from Richmond Times-Dispatch archives
HPV causes an overgrowth of cells called dysplasia or Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia (CIN).Our Pap smear shows abnormal cell changes…there is a chance that a single Pap test may miss abnormal…but the over abundance of cell that cancer would cause would not be miss with your Pap smear and the visual exam that your doctor does during your pelvic exam.liver cancer
mattia
Oct. 27, 2009 at 02:06 AM
Cervical cancer accounts for less than 1% of of all female cancer cases and deaths in the US. Cervical cancer is typically very treatable and the prognosis for a healthy outcome is good. The typical exceptions to this case are old women, women who are already unhealthy and women who don’t get pap smears until after the cancer has existed for many years.
Symptoms
Symptoms
Sep. 30, 2009 at 05:43 AM
Cervical cancer accounts for less than 1% of of all female cancer cases and deaths in the US. Cervical cancer is typically very treatable and the prognosis for a healthy outcome is good. The typical exceptions to this case are old women, women who are already unhealthy and women who don’t get pap smears until after the cancer has existed for many years.
Symptoms
Sep. 30, 2009 at 05:33 AM
I have my reservations about it, especially for young girls, but thanks for the information.
Clara
Aug. 30, 2009 at 10:44 AM
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