cervical cancer vaccine
 

So have you heard this one yet? GlaxoSmithKline Plc and Merck & Co. make a vaccine that is effective at stopping 4 of the viruses that are known to cause cervical cancer. These viruses (human papillomavirus) are sexually transmitted, and since it is a vaccine women must be vaccinated before they become sexually active. Several conservative groups are apposing this vaccination because they feel it will promote sexual activity in young women, and that it undermines the abstinence only movement.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...103000747.html
http://www.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=dn3089
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?p...4.vSg&refer=us
http://abcnews.go.com/Health/story?id=2054043&page=1


I for one think this is stupid; the vaccine is just taking extra precautions. After I got my inoculations when I was younger, I did not go looking for someone with the measles because I would be safe. For all the women out there, would you get vaccinated? And to all the parents out there, would you vaccinate your daughters?

Yes, I would get vaccinated and I would vaccinate my daughters.

By hiding sex and not talking about it, we only promote an atmosphere that puts teens at risk for promiscuity. By being open and having that discussion with our children--and it is a discussion, not a one time talk--teens are more aware of the dangers associated with sex and it takes away that mysterious rebellion factor.

yes I would. HPV is one of the STD's you can still get even if you use condoms. Protection makes sense, especially as it can cause cervical cancer, among other things. I think that sensible and responsible young women will get the vaccine.

It's still too new and there's not enough known about it... nope wouldn't vaccinate...

Women need to take care of their bodies, including getting yearly pap smears AND the HPV test... the medical profession, needs to make the HPV test a standard test... It should not have to be asked for.

Women need to educate themselves about the bodies, men as well quite franky, reading some posts in tilted sexuality and the ladies lounge that is clearly not happening...

The vaccine has nothing to do with sex or being promiscuous... you vaccinate a child against measles, not because you plan on taking them to a place where measles run rampant, but as a precaution, this vaccinne would also be a precaution... but it's too new for me to consider it right now.

Definitely would -- HPV is huuuuuuuuuge when it comes to Cervical Cancer.

Didn't even have to read the articles to say that a vaccine for HPV (and consequently, most cervical cancer) is a good thing.

The conservative groups always get their panties in a twist whenever anyone tries to make people safer when engaging in sex, touting any such measure as "encouraging" sexual intercourse.

This, of course, is total bullshit. If a vaccine for the most easily-spread STD (which will spread even if you're wearing a condom) is available, then hook us up.

I couldn't agree more. Well put.

If you go here you can order a free make-it-yourself bracelet from maketheconnection.org. When you do, Merck donates $1 to the Cancer Research and Prevention Foundation. I ordered one. :thumbsup:

(sorry about the threadjack)

I actually worked with Citizens for Decency in our town years ago. I did not cooperate with all they did though. I don't work with them anymore either because I don't agree with about 99% of their philosophies.

I recall more than once hearing people in that mindset (including my mother) who professed a conviction that all STD's were a punishment of God on an immoral and sexually promiscuous people. Some even wanted to stop drug companies from developing medications to slow the progression of AIDS or medications to control Herpes. I even met one fellow who had been promiscuous in his younger years and once he was converted he refused to use medication for the oral Herpes he'd contracted. He often had a sore on his mouth that looked miserable.

The people who complain about things like this claim that God will punish them if they don't speak out against it. What they can't see is that for things like this there is nothing they can do to stop it.

This doesn't surprise me but it irritates me that these people have found something else to complain about. Why can't they just worry about their own lives instead of trying to control others?

I think the reduction of cancer rates is worth the price -the price being more people fucking and more accidental pregnancies, other STD's, etc.

The point that it would increase "immoral" behaviour is true, from their standpoint. I know for a fact if I could 100% guarentee I wouldn't get a STD or get someone pregnant, I'd be a man-slut.

EDIT: I want to say something like 95% of cervical cancer is caused by a strain of HPV. So, the less people sterilized, killed, or whathaveyou from HPV, the better.

I really don't think that the risk of geting cervical cancer from these virii has ever prevented any person (young or old) from having sex before. Most people, I'm sure, didn't even know this problemexisted before it was brought out in the news that this was the cause for this type of cancer and therefore this didnt stop anyone from fucking.

This group would rather see people die or have parts of their body cut out. Thats messed up. Sex isn't the problem, it's people like this. For one i'm glad they're against sex because it will help prevent these types of people from reproducing and teaching their messed up beliefs to their children.

I just don’t understand religion, the people who think god hates everyone that are different form them, I’m all for freedom of speech, but I also believe in freedom from speech. I’m fine with people being dumb by them selves, but when there stupidity stipples my advancements, it pisses me off.

Looks like guys can get the vaccine, too. If I can get a shot that reduces the risk that I could spread any disease to others, shoot me up. I'm not having any sex now, nevermind promiscuous sex, but if it protects future partners from catching something that half the population has, from me, then it's worth it.

Look at the underlying assumption to the objections, and you see how ridiculous they are. For this to promote sexual activity, there would have to be people out there right now not having sex for fear of getting HPV and cervical cancer. I would venture to guess that there are none.

Also, HPV and the possibility of cervical cancer are really low on the radar compared to AIDS, herpes, syphillis, and gonorrhea. If the risk of getting those isn't preventing sexual activity, HPV isn't even going to make a blip.

Gilda

My favorite bit is that they are called conservative groups instead of religious groups and the one link I clicked made sure to blame Bush for it.

Why do I think this hubbub in the press is more to do with politics (conservatives don't want to cure cancer!) and far less to do with any real opposition (as in they may oppose but they can't do anything about it).

Is this a vaccine or a cure? One protects non-infected people from getting it in the future, the other treats people who currently have it and makes it so they can not get it in the future.

And why wouldn't boys get this shot? If they are hosts as well and are transmitting it, shouldn't some of them be protected from HPV (some strains)?

I’m sorry about the conservative bit; I meant to say conservative Christian groups. As for a bush connection, I don’t think there is much of one, I’m sure in his heart and mind, the vaccine will increase promiscuity, and he is an abstinence only kind of guy, he has enough on his plate now and I don’t think he will risk any more bad press by openly apposing it.

I definetly would, I did my Senior Seminar presentation on HPV, the vaccine kicks ass!!! (BTW, it has passed stage three clinical trials, and is not like a drug that may have unknown effects, the vaccine does not include live virus, and therefore will do nothing but create an immune response)