HPV Vaccine Debate
The new HPV Vaccine ("Gardasil") is
receiving a lot of attention from the media, doctors, and patients.
Drug company commercials and state legislators are encouraging
universal vaccination while at the same time many reports that the
vaccine might not be as safe as initially thought have been surfacing.
As with any new vaccine, and even established vaccines, there are often pros and cons that have to be weighed, and it often comes down to a case-by-case decision. Many of our patients have been asking us about this vaccine recently, so we wanted to share some resources to help you and your loved ones make informed decisions.
The Gardasil vaccine is designed to prevent infection from HPV 16 and 18, two of the main strains of HPV virus (Human Papilloma Virus) that can cause cervical cancer. It is recommended for young girls as a preventative measure.
We do not have an official stance on this vaccine, as it is a personal decision. A few things we suggest you keep in mind when considering giving this vaccine to yourself or your child:
1. Even with the vaccine, it is still very important to get regular PAP smears. The vaccine only addresses a few strains of HPV; several other strains that also cause cancer are not included in the vaccine. We also do not have enough data to know the long-term effects of the vaccine. Will it really prevent HPV infection 10 years in the future? 20 years? No one knows. A PAP smear is a proven and very effective test that can detect small cellular changes that may lead to cervical cancer. Because cervical cancer is slow growing, regular PAP smears can detect a vast majority of cases before they turn into cancer, or at an early (and treatable) stage of cancer. We worry that people will get a "false sense of security" because they are vaccinated, will not get regular PAPs, and may ultimately end up at a greater risk for cervical cancer than before.
2. If you choose to get the vaccine, make sure you are healthy the day you get the shot(s). If you are coming down with a cold, have the sniffles, or are just generally worn down, it's best to postpone the vaccine until your immune system is in top form. When your immune system is otherwise occupied with fighting off another illness, it is less able to deal with the additional stress caused by a vaccine, and may put you more at risk for an adverse effect.
3. If you do have HPV, a current or past abnormal PAP smear, or just want to learn more about preventing cervical cancer, please give us a call. There are naturopathic strategies to support your immune system and help your body fight against cervical change and precancerous lesions. We have worked with many women in your situation, so please don't hesitate to contact us to learn more.
To read more about this issue, we recommend you check out the following links. These excellent articles do a good job of explaining some pros and cons of this debate:
