Tammy's Recipes

This sort of news is troubling on two front.

The first front is yet another example of government overstepping their constitutional role and depriving citizens of their rights and liberties. Gardasil, the in question vaccination, protects against illnesses that are completely controllable by behavior. Depriving 100% of people of their rights to choose to accomodate the careless and questionable conduct of a minority is a slap insulting. The fact the Texas Governor -- who should have rescued himself from the situation due to his close ties Merck -- bypassed the state legislature and is not acting upon a public demand should open more than a few eyes.

The second front that is troubling is how this news is being reported. Some quick facts:

Fact: Cervical cancer has a number of causes; the most common cause (90-95%) stemming from viral infections from a number of strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV). These viruses are spread through sexual contact (i.e. STDs) and infection can be effectively avoided through behavior.

Fact: Scientiests have identified more than 120 various human papillomavirus (HPV) types, ranging from simple warts to STDs; about 30 HPVs are spread through sexual contact, some causing noticable symptoms like genital warts and cervical dyskaryosis, and others that are asymptomatic.

Fact: There are over a half dozen HPVs that can cause cervical cancer.

Fact: Gardasil, the Merk vaccine, works to prevent infection from 4 common HPV strains (6,11,16,18) which are said to be responsibly for about 70% of all cervical cancer incidents. Gardasil also immunizes against 2 strains of HPV that cause 90% of genital warts.

Fact: Gardasil is 95% effective in regards to effective immunization against the viral HPV strains in the vaccine known to cause Cervical cancer; meaning 5% of all people who receive the vaccine will have no protection from these HPV strains (which account for 70% of incidents of cervical cancer).

Fact: The long held consensus has been the necessity for early detection through Pap smears. When HPV infections are identified in the early stages treatment is almost always 100% successful. Pap smears have dropped the death rate in the general population due to cervical cancer by 74% and are now nearly 100% effective in identifying an HPV infection.

To summerize: 90% of cases of cervical cancer are caused by an infection from an HPV strain; the HPV strains that can cause cervical cancer are STDs and exposure can be controlled by behavior; Gardasil immunizes against 70% of HPV strains that are known to cause cervical cancer and 90% of strains that cause genital warts, but is only 95% effective; annual pap smears that lead to early detection of an HPV infection have nearly a 100% success rate of healthy recovery.

At this point you are probably wondering why the Gov. of Texas has mandated that school children receive a vaccine for a virus that is completely avoidable through behavior as well as a nearly 100% effective treatment. In regards to behavior, it is vital to point out that the benefits of behaviors that avoid activities that expose oneself to HPV strains that cause cervical cancer also prevents unwanted pregnancies and infection from other deadly STDs. Likewise, seeing as Gardasil only immunizes against 70% of HPV strains that cause cancer and is only 95% effective at doing do (meaning 5% are NOT safe even after the vaccine is administered) I seriously question the false sense of security this move creates.

Rereading the leading snippet from the AP peice indicates a number of subtle, but substantially misleading, errors. For example, the article overstates the issue in favor of the Governor and Merck by stating, "require that schoolgirls get vaccinated against the sexually transmitted virus that causes cervical cancer" when, in fact, there are a number many viruses that can cause cervical cancer--notably a number that Gardasil does NOT protect patients from. When the AP states, "vaccinated against the sexually transmitted virus" they have already mislead their readers by leading them to believe that this vaccine works on the virus (singular!) that causes cervical cancer--when in fact Gardasil only works with about 70% of cases. Further, the AP misleads the audiance by creating the impression that this virus (!) is the cause for cervical cancer, when indeed not all cervical cancer is caused by strains of HPV.

The contrast between reality and the opening of the AP article is stark: The reality is that Gardasil is effective in preventing 4 HPV strains current responsible for 70% of cervical cancer cases, yet the AP presents a fallacious and misleading view of the vaccine by indicating it prevents the singular virus that causes cervical cancer.

While some may see this as nitpicking, the reality is that journalists have a duty to present the facts without taking side. It is their responsiblity to be informed and knowledgable on the topic at hand and to fairly present each side.

In this case it is abundantly clear that the AP has watered down the facts and presented Gardasil as a much more effective vaccine than it is, which in tern biases the reader in favor of the vaccine.

"It is important to remember that 30% of cervical cancers are caused by HPV types not prevented by the quadrivalent HPV vaccine. The current vaccine will only protect against the 4 HPV types that it targets. A female may be vaccinated according to the current guidelines and still become infected with an HPV type that is not targeted by Gardasil. Therefore, cervical Pap smear screening guidelines are the same, regardless of whether a woman is vaccinated or not. Lack of screening is a major contributing factor to cervical cancer mortality."

Medscape Today

Pap tests are very effective at detecting cervical cancer in its early stages, and early treatment is very effective. I'm not sure why we need a $400 vaccine that doesn't even contain 30% of the HPV viruses that cause cervical cancer. :|

Not completely controllable. That sad-but-true behavior of certain individuals causes the spread of this and other diseases even when against the girl's will. You hope thy will get reported, but the "don't tell or I'll kill you factor is always there.

Briana, you are correct that there is a small percentage of individuals who contract HPV, HIV, and other STDs through forced circumstances.

Gardasil is 95% effective (like all vaccines) against 70% of cases of HPV. Routine Pap tests are still recommended for those who have been vaccinated. Gardasil is expensive and "safe", but people forget that routine Pap tests are very effective at detecting HVP and early treatment is very effective.

If someone wants to be vaccinated with Gardasil, I think that's fine. It's their choice! But I think the best course is to live a healthy, moral lifestyle and have routine Pap tests. If a woman or girl had increased chances of being infected with HPV, she could opt for Pap tests every 6 months. I don't think Gardasil is "the answer"; I think it is being marketed especially for MONEY, not health.

Just my personal opinion! :) Why mandate 100% of 6th grade girls be vaccinated when a small fraction of them might be raped? It's not about rape. :)

Heh guess that's alway been a big fear of mine (even though I am not the most attractive girl)

I think thats the same vaccination they are giving us at school in a month or so. I go to a Christian school in Australia and I know a few of my friends parents don't like the idea of it so their daughters are therefore not getting it. I guess its a little different as we are 17 not 11, but still I was under the impression it was preventing cervical cancer not just casued by STDs etc.