HPV Vaccine Still Worth It Despite Risks

It has been three years since the public was introduced to the first cervical cancer vaccine. Originally, the vaccine was touted as a medical breakthrough. Recently, questions have been raised regarding whether the risks out weigh the benefits.

The American Medical Association journal recently questioned the side effects of the vaccine Gardasil. The vaccine has been given to 7 million patients and 12,000 reported having such side effects as fainting, dizziness, and headaches. Approximately 700 patients reported having more serious effects which include blood clots, auto immune diseases, and sadly 32 deaths have been reported. Doctors feel the report is premature as many of the deaths were in patients with underlying medical conditions.

The Gardasil vaccine is administered by giving a group of three shots. It guards against two of the strains of the sexually transmitted diseases which cause at least 70 percent of case of cervical cancer. Gardasil also protects against two other strains which are a determinant in 90 percent of genitals warts in both sexes.

In September the Food and Drug Administration will consider whether or not to approve the vaccine for men. It is touted to prevent rare cases of anal, head, and neck cancer which are know to be related to the human papillomavirus.

A large percentage of the world’s population that contracts cervical cancer comes from poor countries. In the United States early screening is a huge preventative factor in the onset of cervical cancers.

Not enough is know about the long term effects of Gardasil, and women may at some point need booster shots. Doctors strongly advise women to be their own warriors and to get a yearly pap smear, as this is the most effective way to battle cervical cancer.

Most doctors agree, the benefits of Gardasil definitely out weigh the small risk associated with it.