2008 Woodie Awards
Gardasil vaccination sparks discussion in Orono church
Students, locals educated on cancerous STD and possible cure
Candace Daley
Issue date: 11/19/07 Section: News
Every year about 30,000 women die from cervical cancer in the United States. The Gardasil vaccination, which can protect against human papilloma virus (HPV) and cervical cancer, was the topic discussed at the Church of Universal Fellowship in Orono, Wednesday night.
According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), HPV is a common virus that is passed through sexual contact. Most of the time it has no symptoms and goes unnoticed. Other types of HPV can cause genital warts in men and women.
The vaccine is recommended for girls and women between the ages of nine and 26, Jiencheng Huang, the immunization program director from the CDC, said. The tissues in a girls' cervix change with age and sexual activity. The tissue is more vulnerable to infection at a young age.
Gardasil is the first vaccine developed to prevent cervical cancer and genital warts caused by HPV. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved it in June 2006.
"There are more than a dozen strains of HPV. Two, however, are the most severe strains that cause cervical cancer. Strains six and 11," Huang said.
Another vaccine will be on the market by next February, if it is approved by the FDA. According to Huang, this other vaccine only contains two strains, compared to Gardasil's four. Therefore, the competitor will not prevent against genital warts.
According to Huang, the Gardasil shot is about 75 percent effective. Even after the shot, it is still important for women to get their annual pap smears.
"This is the most common sexually transmitted disease (STD). About 80 percent of the population will be affected by it in their lifetime," Jana Caron, a senior nursing student, said.
The Gardasil shot is the most expensive vaccine on the market, according to Huang. It is a three-series shot, costing a total of $360. Some insurance, such as Blue Cross/Blue Shield and other major companies will cover the cost of the vaccination. For those who are not covered, there are other options. Huang said the CDC would cover expenses in some cases. If a woman is 18 or younger, Native American, or has no insurance or underinsurance, such as Maine Care, getting help through the federally funded CDC may be an option.
"Some people are against giving the vaccine to young girls because they don't think girls that age should be having sex, but the reality is that they do, and it is better to be safe than sorry," Raechel Wark, a junior nursing major, said.
According to Caron, being diagnosed with cervical cancer can end up costing more than $2,000. After being diagnosed, a doctor would either freeze off layers of tissue from the cervix or remove part of it. The follow up includes pap smears every three months for a year, then every six months for a year. If the cancer doesn't return, then the patient can return to annual pap smears.
"I think it's a great idea to promote good health," Caron said.
The event was sponsored by an Orono town nurse, the American Association of University Women and the Orono health association.
"I think it's a great idea. It is definitely something that all girls should consider," said Autumn Bell, a UMaine sophomore.
According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), HPV is a common virus that is passed through sexual contact. Most of the time it has no symptoms and goes unnoticed. Other types of HPV can cause genital warts in men and women.
The vaccine is recommended for girls and women between the ages of nine and 26, Jiencheng Huang, the immunization program director from the CDC, said. The tissues in a girls' cervix change with age and sexual activity. The tissue is more vulnerable to infection at a young age.
Gardasil is the first vaccine developed to prevent cervical cancer and genital warts caused by HPV. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved it in June 2006.
"There are more than a dozen strains of HPV. Two, however, are the most severe strains that cause cervical cancer. Strains six and 11," Huang said.
Another vaccine will be on the market by next February, if it is approved by the FDA. According to Huang, this other vaccine only contains two strains, compared to Gardasil's four. Therefore, the competitor will not prevent against genital warts.
According to Huang, the Gardasil shot is about 75 percent effective. Even after the shot, it is still important for women to get their annual pap smears.
"This is the most common sexually transmitted disease (STD). About 80 percent of the population will be affected by it in their lifetime," Jana Caron, a senior nursing student, said.
The Gardasil shot is the most expensive vaccine on the market, according to Huang. It is a three-series shot, costing a total of $360. Some insurance, such as Blue Cross/Blue Shield and other major companies will cover the cost of the vaccination. For those who are not covered, there are other options. Huang said the CDC would cover expenses in some cases. If a woman is 18 or younger, Native American, or has no insurance or underinsurance, such as Maine Care, getting help through the federally funded CDC may be an option.
"Some people are against giving the vaccine to young girls because they don't think girls that age should be having sex, but the reality is that they do, and it is better to be safe than sorry," Raechel Wark, a junior nursing major, said.
According to Caron, being diagnosed with cervical cancer can end up costing more than $2,000. After being diagnosed, a doctor would either freeze off layers of tissue from the cervix or remove part of it. The follow up includes pap smears every three months for a year, then every six months for a year. If the cancer doesn't return, then the patient can return to annual pap smears.
"I think it's a great idea to promote good health," Caron said.
The event was sponsored by an Orono town nurse, the American Association of University Women and the Orono health association.
"I think it's a great idea. It is definitely something that all girls should consider," said Autumn Bell, a UMaine sophomore.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Mr. Larry H. Gregory
posted 11/20/07 @ 1:49 AM EST
Gardasil is 100% effective against strains 16 and 18 which is associated with more than half of all cervical cancers. The vaccine can be given to women with abnormal pap smears up to the age of 26. (Continued…)
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