Should Parents Be Able To Choose Not To Immunize Against Cervical Cancer?

OK - this is somewhat astounding to me.

A vaccine against cervical cancer has been developed. Public health advocates want to use the shots as part of mandatory immunization shots given to teenagers to prevent cervical cancer. Social conservatives are against such mandtory shots because they think that they could encourage sexual activity.

Apparently, one of the benefits of this drug is that is also prevents some sexually transmitted diseases. Conservatives in the federal government will be playing a pivotal role in determining how broadly the vaccine is used.

"The vaccine protects women against strains of a ubiquitous germ called the human papilloma virus. Although many strains of the virus are innocuous, some can cause cancerous lesions on the cervix (the outer end of the uterus), making them the primary cause of this cancer in the United States. Cervical cancer strikes more than 10,000 U.S. women each year, killing more than 3,700.

The vaccine appears to be virtually 100 percent effective against two of the most common cancer-causing HPV strains. Merck, whose vaccine is further along, plans to ask the Food and Drug Administration by the end of the year for approval to sell the shots."

So, we will risk cervical cancer because we are afraid of pre-marital sex. . . if you were teaching your kids right, why would the vaccine matter. I can understand parents wanting control of what happens to their children, and if this was not something that could prevent a deadly disease, I might understand, but they are willing to risk kids getting cancer?

Thoughts?

Debate rages on use of cervical cancer vaccine

Updated On: 11/1/05 at 10:45 AM

According to the article, the only objection raised was the possible side effect of encouraging sex.

If the issue is that the vaccine is too new and we need to see the side effects before making it mandatory, I would think that is a valid argument. If the only concern is that it might encourage kids to have sex, then I have no logical comprehension of that position.

From the article:

"Conservative groups say they welcome the vaccine as an important public health tool but oppose making it mandatory.

"Some people have raised the issue of whether this vaccine may be sending an overall message to teen-agers that, 'We expect you to be sexually active,' " said Reginald Finger, a doctor trained in public health who served as a medical analyst for Focus on the Family before being appointed to the ACIP in 2003.

"There are people who sense that it could cause people to feel like sexual behaviors are safer if they are vaccinated and may lead to more sexual behavior because they feel safe," said Finger, emphasizing he does not endorse that position and is withholding judgment until the issue comes before the vaccine policy panel for a formal recommendation.

Conservative medical groups have been fielding calls from concerned parents and organizations, officials said.

"I've talked to some who have said, 'This is going to sabotage our abstinence message,' " said Gene Rudd, associate executive director of the Christian Medical and Dental Associations. But Rudd said most people change their minds once they learn more, adding he would probably want his children immunized. Rudd, however, draws the line at making the vaccine mandatory.

"Parents should have the choice. There are those who would say, 'We can provide a better, healthier alternative than the vaccine, and that is to teach abstinence,' " Rudd said."

Updated On: 11/1/05 at 10:50 AM

I have a friend who has this, got it from her b/f who was fooling around on her, and she's had to go through a lot of medical sh*t because of it. So I'm all for it, believe me.

---

I have a hard time saying that we should make it mandatory, simply because it's another way of taking away a woman's right to choose what is best for her. But I can't imagine a parent NOT wanting their daughter to be protected from this disease. I wonder if they realize that HPV is something that can be contracted through ANY genital contact. Their daughters can still be virgins and get HPV just by fooling around. In fact, that's how one of my friends got it. She's now had to have several surgeries to have parts of her cervix burned off becuse of lesions and precancerous cells. My other friend has to go in every once in awhile to have warts burned off. Do parents really want this for their children?
I don't have health insurance and I have a fear of needles but you better believe my a** will find a way to get this shot when it comes out. This disease is just too scary.

We have several friends that do not vaccinate. They are liberals worried about autism, etc. We were late with C10's MMR and she got the mumps. There is no reason for a child in America in the 20 Century to get the mumps. And, we were at a wedding which nearly ruined a trip.

Why yes, Y, that is ignorant.

I had a friend who died from cervical cancer--a 90% curable cancer. Having seen what she went thru--there is NO question in my mind this immunization is positive. End of story.

Well the vaccine hasn't been approved yet.
HPV in 50% of the cases corrects itself (a percentage of people do develop the kind that produces genital warts)
Early tests indicate in only works if you haven't gotten HPV (in order to get HPV you have to be sexually active)
The vaccine would work for both men and women, which is interesting.

I understand the parents viewpoint of false safety being given to their kids, but these are some of the same people who oppose condoms b/c they think it will encourage sexual behavior too.
Parents get to choose now if their kids get vaccinated for other diseases. Do kids get a choice?

---

God, people amaze me sometimes with their stupidity. It's CANCER PREVENTION, for God's sake!

Can you imagine the scenario of a child wants the vaccine and the parent refuses? What does a Dr. do in that situation? At what point, other than the arbitrary age of 18 (and younger for some contractual issues) does a child's will become binding over a parents?

In this day and age, I think it should be highly encouraged. I don't think we can force it, however.

And honestly? Just because you have won't get cervical cancer doesn't mean you won't get anything else -- so you still have to be smart and resposible in your activity.

---