New vaccine offers cancer prevention

By Olivia Biagi
Collegian Editor
September 12, 2007

In 2005, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated that 20 million Americans contracted the human papillomavirus, making it one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases. HPV, according to the official CDC web site, is a common virus with over 100 different strains, some of which cause harmless warts on hands and feet. However, there are approximately 40 types of the virus which infect both male and female genitalia.

While most types of HPV are relatively harmless, there are four types known to cause genital warts and cervical cancer in women. Gardasil, a relatively new vaccine manufactured by Merck and Company, Inc., aims to prevent these diseases from occurring. But before discussing the vaccine itself, it is important to understand what HPV is, how it is spread and its harmful effects on young women.

According to the CDC, most infections caused by genital HPV will clear up on their own within two years, and for the majority of cases, the carrier of the disease is not aware that he or she has it because there are no symptoms. Lack of symptoms, however, do not stop the virus from being passed through genital contact. In fact, HPV is widely spread because a person does not know that he or she has it. Planned Parenthood reported that some HPV infections do not clear up, and stay in the body undetected for years. Also, according to CDC, HPV is spread simply through genital contact, not necessarily through intercourse.

In 2005, it was estimated that at least 50 percent of sexually active Americans catch HPV in their lifetime. Planned Parenthood reported that between 10 and 15 million Americans at any time have HPV strains associated with cervical cancer.

Dr. Arnold Cohen, Chairman of the Ob/Gyn at Albert Einstein Medical Center, stated that, according to some studies, “up to 70 percent of college-aged students will be infected with HPV.” The CDC recommends that those who choose to be sexually active should refrain from having multiple sexual partners, and instead practice a monogamous sexual relationship with a partner who has not had HPV.

Merck has released an informational leaflet (which can be picked up at the campus health center) on both Gardasil and HPV. This leaflet breaks down the 40 types of genital HPV into two subgroups: high risk and low risk. High risk types may cause cancer, or abnormal cells that may become cancerous, in the lining of the cervix in females. Gardasil protects against HPV types 6, 11, 16 and 18 and the diseases caused by them, such as cervical cancer and abnormal and precancerous cells in the cervix, vagina and vulva. HPV types 6, 11, 16 and 18 cause about 70 percent of cervical cancers and 90 percent of genital warts when the infection does not clear up on its own. The vaccine is a three dose injection over a six month period of time.

Although men can catch and pass HPV, currently only women can receive the vaccine and an HPV test because the health risks associated with HPV are significantly higher in females than males. The vaccine is only approved for females between the ages of nine and 26.

Planned Parenthood’s web site states that “it is incredibly important that young women receive the vaccine as soon as possible because it is unknown when the vaccine will be safe for women over 26.” Dr. Cohen also said that “all ‘girls’ after the age of nine should receive it [Gardasil].”

“Ideally, it should be given to females before they become sexually active, but even if you had sex already, it is important that you get the vaccine.”

Cancer of the cervix is a serious condition and can be life threatening to women. According to HPV.com, the informational Web site sponsored by Merck, cervical cancer takes the lives of 3,700 American women every year. Also, Hispanic women are twice as likely to develop the disease as white women, while African American women develop it one-and-a-half times more than whites. Dr. Cohen also stated that cervical cancer “is the most common cancer of women in the world. In the United States, the incidence of cervical cancer is lower than in other countries because we do routine gynecological exams with Pap smears.”

“Gardasil is an important step in protecting women against cervical cancer,” Dr. Cohen said. “Remember, HPV is a highly common virus, and spreads easily and virtually undetected.”

“This is like polio, it was a big problem in the 1950s. Once the polio vaccine came into being the problem went away. We have the opportunity to significantly reduce the risk of cervical cancer in women with this vaccine.”

Another way to fight against the cancer caused by the virus, sexually active women should have a yearly Pap smear performed to detect any abnormalities in the cervix. As always, the only sure way to prevent the spread of STDs is through abstinence. However, those who choose to be sexually active should always use a condom to protect against all STDs. For additional information on HPV, Gardasil and other STDs, stop by the campus health center, or visit cdc.gov, hpv.com or plannedparenthood.org.

biagio1@lasalle.edu