http://my.webmd.com/content/article/97/103992.htm
QUOTE
Cervical Cancer Vaccine Passes Major Hurdle
Vaccine May Prevent up to 70% of Cervical Cancers
By Jennifer Warner
WebMD Medical News
Nov. 11, 2004 -- A vaccine that protects women against a common sexually transmitted infection that leads to cervical cancer is now one step closer to reality.
The results of a major clinical trial of the vaccine show that it was 100% effective in preventing persistent infection with two strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV) that account for the majority of cervical cancer cases.
Nearly half a million cases of cervical cancer are diagnosed each year worldwide, and the disease accounts for about 230,000 deaths annually. Researchers say that if all eligible women got the vaccine, it would reduce the worldwide incidence of cervical cancer by nearly 70%.
Vaccine May Prevent up to 70% of Cervical Cancers
By Jennifer Warner
WebMD Medical News
Nov. 11, 2004 -- A vaccine that protects women against a common sexually transmitted infection that leads to cervical cancer is now one step closer to reality.
The results of a major clinical trial of the vaccine show that it was 100% effective in preventing persistent infection with two strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV) that account for the majority of cervical cancer cases.
Nearly half a million cases of cervical cancer are diagnosed each year worldwide, and the disease accounts for about 230,000 deaths annually. Researchers say that if all eligible women got the vaccine, it would reduce the worldwide incidence of cervical cancer by nearly 70%.
Everyone would be in favor of that, right?
Wrong.
http://www.newscientist.com/channel/sex/mg18624954.500
QUOTE
Will cancer vaccine get to all women?
18 April 2005
NewScientist.com news service
Debora MacKenzie
DEATHS from cervical cancer could jump fourfold to a million a year by 2050, mainly in developing countries. This could be prevented by soon-to-be-approved vaccines against the virus that causes most cases of cervical cancer - but there are signs that opposition to the vaccines might lead to many preventable deaths.
The trouble is that the human papilloma virus (HPV) is sexually transmitted. So to prevent infection, girls will have to be vaccinated before they become sexually active, which could be a problem in many countries.
In the US, for instance, religious groups are gearing up to oppose vaccination, despite a survey showing 80 per cent of parents favour vaccinating their daughters. "Abstinence is the best way to prevent HPV," says Bridget Maher of the Family Research Council, a leading Christian lobby group that has made much of the fact that, because it can spread by skin contact, condoms are not as effective against HPV as they are against other viruses such as HIV.
"Giving the HPV vaccine to young women could be potentially harmful, because they may see it as a licence to engage in premarital sex," Maher claims, though it is arguable how many young women have even heard of the virus.
18 April 2005
NewScientist.com news service
Debora MacKenzie
DEATHS from cervical cancer could jump fourfold to a million a year by 2050, mainly in developing countries. This could be prevented by soon-to-be-approved vaccines against the virus that causes most cases of cervical cancer - but there are signs that opposition to the vaccines might lead to many preventable deaths.
The trouble is that the human papilloma virus (HPV) is sexually transmitted. So to prevent infection, girls will have to be vaccinated before they become sexually active, which could be a problem in many countries.
In the US, for instance, religious groups are gearing up to oppose vaccination, despite a survey showing 80 per cent of parents favour vaccinating their daughters. "Abstinence is the best way to prevent HPV," says Bridget Maher of the Family Research Council, a leading Christian lobby group that has made much of the fact that, because it can spread by skin contact, condoms are not as effective against HPV as they are against other viruses such as HIV.
"Giving the HPV vaccine to young women could be potentially harmful, because they may see it as a licence to engage in premarital sex," Maher claims, though it is arguable how many young women have even heard of the virus.
IMO if they don't want to vaccinate their own daughters, then they shouldn't be forced to. But to oppose the vaccination for others is not right.
What do you think?