2008 Woodie Awards
Preventative vaccine too costly; Communication is best defense
Kathleen Radebaugh ’08
Issue date: 1/31/07 Section: Opinion
- Page 1 of 1
Many times in life there are no answers. Some things happen and humans have no control over the situation.
Yet there are some moments that are completely within our control and in this case, taking responsibility can save lives.
In June 2006, The Food and Drug Administration approved Gardasil, the first vaccine developed to prevent genital warts and cervical cancer due to human papillomavirus, most commonly known as HPV. HPV is the most common sexually-transmitted infection in the United States. Three out of four men and women who are sexually active have or had one strain of the HPV infection.
This means that 75 percent of sexually active men and women have or had HPV.
In women, if left undetected and not treated, genital warts or cervical cancer could develop. On average, there are 9,710 new cases of cervical cancer and 3,700 deaths attributed to cervical cancer in the United States every year. Worldwide, cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in women, and is estimated to cause over 470,000 new cases and 230,000 deaths each year.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that about 6.2 million Americans become infected with genital HPV each year.
Most women's immune systems will automatically eradicate the infection without one even knowing and develop an immunity against the disease. That is, however, only most women, not all women.
This is not just a woman's issue though. HPV types 16, 18, 31, and 45 can cause anal and penile cancer. There are approximately over 1,700 cases of anal cancer a year.
Gardasil is not a cure for HPV or for genital warts but a preventive vaccine for women ages nine to 26 to suppress four "high risk" types of the infection linked to causing cervical cancer and genital warts. Currently, there is no vaccine for men, but new ways of screening are in development.
The problem is that each shot is $150 dollars and there are three shots over a period of six months. The Student Health Center located in Sourin Residence Hall does not prescribe the vaccine, but will administer the vaccine to any student with a filled prescription. Dake's Pharmacy located on the corner of 54th Street and City Ave. can order Gardasil with a prescription.
Insurance companies do not cover the cost of the vaccine due to its recent release and the early stages of clinical trials. The main reason insurance companies do not cover the cost is that there is no pressure from society because few know about the seriousness of the infection and the effectiveness of the vaccine.
Get educated. If you are having sexual relations with someone, make an appointment with your gynecologist, family doctor, or free clinic to get tested. Studies have shown condom use can lower the risk of acquiring HPV infection and reduce the risk of HPV-related diseases.
Most importantly, speak with your partner and friends about this disease and its new preventative vaccine. The more it is talked about, the more control is possible.
Yet there are some moments that are completely within our control and in this case, taking responsibility can save lives.
In June 2006, The Food and Drug Administration approved Gardasil, the first vaccine developed to prevent genital warts and cervical cancer due to human papillomavirus, most commonly known as HPV. HPV is the most common sexually-transmitted infection in the United States. Three out of four men and women who are sexually active have or had one strain of the HPV infection.
This means that 75 percent of sexually active men and women have or had HPV.
In women, if left undetected and not treated, genital warts or cervical cancer could develop. On average, there are 9,710 new cases of cervical cancer and 3,700 deaths attributed to cervical cancer in the United States every year. Worldwide, cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in women, and is estimated to cause over 470,000 new cases and 230,000 deaths each year.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that about 6.2 million Americans become infected with genital HPV each year.
Most women's immune systems will automatically eradicate the infection without one even knowing and develop an immunity against the disease. That is, however, only most women, not all women.
This is not just a woman's issue though. HPV types 16, 18, 31, and 45 can cause anal and penile cancer. There are approximately over 1,700 cases of anal cancer a year.
Gardasil is not a cure for HPV or for genital warts but a preventive vaccine for women ages nine to 26 to suppress four "high risk" types of the infection linked to causing cervical cancer and genital warts. Currently, there is no vaccine for men, but new ways of screening are in development.
The problem is that each shot is $150 dollars and there are three shots over a period of six months. The Student Health Center located in Sourin Residence Hall does not prescribe the vaccine, but will administer the vaccine to any student with a filled prescription. Dake's Pharmacy located on the corner of 54th Street and City Ave. can order Gardasil with a prescription.
Insurance companies do not cover the cost of the vaccine due to its recent release and the early stages of clinical trials. The main reason insurance companies do not cover the cost is that there is no pressure from society because few know about the seriousness of the infection and the effectiveness of the vaccine.
Get educated. If you are having sexual relations with someone, make an appointment with your gynecologist, family doctor, or free clinic to get tested. Studies have shown condom use can lower the risk of acquiring HPV infection and reduce the risk of HPV-related diseases.
Most importantly, speak with your partner and friends about this disease and its new preventative vaccine. The more it is talked about, the more control is possible.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Leonardo
posted 1/31/07 @ 12:57 PM EST
Too expensive? Compared to cervical cancer it is a bargin. Put off buying the ipod, the xBox, the Wii, or the playstation 3. Get real, vaccines are some of the most cost effective therapies that exist. (Continued…)
Philip Schwab
posted 1/31/07 @ 1:00 PM EST
Skipping the HPV vaccine $450 saved. Purchasing an Ipod $400. Purchasing 50 songs for your Ipod $50. Getting to listen to your 50 songs over and over on your Ipod while you lay in the hospital after your $7,000+ hysterectomy - PRICELESS!
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