What is Gardasil?

[LaTasha Taylor]

My 9 year old had her 2nd Gardasil shot today.

What is it? Gardasil is a vaccine that can blocks infection from those strains of HPV (Human papilloma virus), that are the most common cause of cervical cancer. According to cnn.health, cervical cancer is the number 2 cancer in women, resulting in 470,000 new cases and 233,000 deaths worldwide each year. Gardasil is only effective prior to infection: as a result, the recommendation is for the vaccines to be given prior to the start of sexual activity. Many states are considering making this vaccine mandatory for middle school girls.

Why the controversy? Some fear that mass immunizations will confer a tacit approval of early sexual behavior. They worry that the protection the vaccine offers will remove one of the dangers of early sexual behavior, thus encouraging more girls to become sexually active.

Faulty Logic. It’s questionable that a fear of cervical cancer is keeping girls from engaging in sex to begin with. Plus, there are still other consequences, like AIDS, pregnancy, and other STD’s. The claim that adding more protections encourages dangerous behavior is just plain illogical. That’s like saying that we shouldn’t put seatbelts in cars because that will encourage people to drive recklessly. As responsible people, we want our kids to have all the protections they can get.

Double standard. Let’s face it, no matter how we try to pretend otherwise, we get more up in arms over the idea of our girls having sex than we would if the conversation was about boys. But here’s another way to look at it: What if we discovered that prostate cancer was caused by an STD, and we had a vaccine that could prevent it if it was given to boys before they became sexually active? Would there even be a debate? The fact that we are squeamish about our daughters having sex shouldn’t impact the comprehensiveness of their health care. Is cancer a fitting punishment for promiscuity?

Financial factors. One of the core reasons for making the vaccine mandatory is to increase availability. As it stands now, the three-dose regimen costs patients $360. The cost makes it prohibitive for many patients; it can also impact medical practitioners’ ability to keep an adequate supply of the vaccine on hand. Making Gardasil part of the compulsory vaccine panel ensures that all girls, not just those informed and affluent enough, have access.



http://teen-health.suite101.com/article.cfm/teens_and_cervical_cancer#ixzz0Icg5nrPV&D

[Ruby Red 59]

What about the fact that it doesn't prevent all cervical cancer ?
What about the fact that there are side affects to these shots ?

[LaTasha Taylor]

No, Gardasil does not prevent all types of Hpv's or cervical cancer. But, it does protect against some. There are side affects to every type of vaccination, antibiotic, over the counter meds. We have to decide what medication is right. Exp: Will this effect my heart disease? Am I allergic to anything? and so on.

My daughter's arm is sore at the injection site for 2-4 days, but it's protecting her from some forms of hpv,s. Doctors alternate arms. Just like the meningitis vaccination, there are side effects. This virus kills almost instantly. Children can not start middle school with out this shot. Gardasil should be mandatory also.


HPV Transmission—Who Gets it?
Human papillomavirus (HPV) affects both females and males. HPV transmission can happen with any kind of sexual, genital contact with someone who has HPV—intercourse isn't necessary.

Many people who have HPV don't even know it, since the virus often has no signs or symptoms. That means HPV transmission can happen without anyone knowing it.

There are about 6 million new cases of genital HPV* in the United States each year. It's estimated that 74% of them occur in 15- to 24-year-olds.

*Number represents more than 30 genital HPV types, not just HPV Types 6, 11, 16, and 18.


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IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT GARDASIL
GARDASIL is the only cervical cancer vaccine that helps protect against 4 types of human papillomavirus (HPV): 2 types that cause 70% of cervical cancer cases, and 2 more types that cause 90% of genital warts cases. GARDASIL is for girls and young women ages 9 to 26.

Anyone who is allergic to the ingredients of GARDASIL, including those severely allergic to yeast, should not receive the vaccine. GARDASIL is not for women who are pregnant. GARDASIL does not treat cervical cancer or genital warts.

GARDASIL may not fully protect everyone, and does not prevent all types of cervical cancer, so it’s important to continue routine cervical cancer screenings. GARDASIL will not protect against diseases caused by other HPV types or against diseases not caused by HPV.

The side effects include pain, swelling, itching, bruising, and redness at the injection site, headache, fever, nausea, dizziness, vomiting, and fainting. GARDASIL is given as 3 injections over 6 months.

Only a doctor or health care professional can decide if GARDASIL is right for you or your daughter.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.


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Find out what you can do to help prevent the transmission of HPV
HPV could happen to you
Human papillomavirus (HPV) doesn't care who you are. If you're having skin-to-skin contact with another person's genitals, you could get HPVGenital HPV (human papillomavirus)
About 30 types of HPV are known as genital HPV since they affect the genital area.
Get More Information
See Full Glossary at any time. When it comes to the transmission of HPV, the facts speak for themselves:

HPV is easily spread. Any contact with someone who has it puts you at risk.
80% of women will have had HPV by the time they're 50.* For most women the virus will clear on its own, but when it doesn't, cervical cancer can develop.
Transmission of HPV happens to many people during their first 2 to 3 years of sexual contact.
Even if you already have a certain type of HPV, you could still be at risk for other types of HPV

[Strivingdly]

Im sorry, mandatory? I read the information and it only protects against 4 types and there are at least 40 types (Check out the CDC.gov) that can affect the genital region. I say that is a low percentage to risk your child's health. How long was the study? Also will it stop all risk to cervical cancer? NO! Do you know the long term risks? NO If you want to subject your child to a vaccine that will stop on a small percentage of STD then go ahead, but to say it should be mandatory is outrageous.

[Nappykat]

I'm not sure I like the idea of of this vaccine being manditory either. My 14 year old got her first shot at about 12 years old, but she went to the clinic with her father and not me and he consented to her getting this shot.

I am not squemish about my daughters becoming sexually active women. I thought I would be, but as they become young women and I become more grounded in my feminism, I find I more supportive of their sexuality and I want them to be as informed as possible. I was going to treat this (the vaccine) like I would treat hormonal birth control (birth control that you need a doctor's prescrip for) - I would give them all the information and when they were ready and consented to it then I would oblige.

But overall I'm just unsure at this time.

[LaTasha Taylor]

I share your thoughts on the issue of our daughters becoming sexually active. The vaccine should not be looked at as permission to have sex. It's important that we educate our children on all of these issues. We try to protect ours in any way possible. My 9 year old just had her second shot and I'm teaching her about Cervical Cancer now. Along with other things such as the proper way to wipe/wash. Hygiene engeral.

Personally, I think that your daughters father should have discussed getting her vaccinated with you first. We have to educate our self and each other as much as possible so that we may pass the info on to our youth. I don't want to think about my children having sex. However, I do want them to be safe.

The shot does not protect against all types of HPV's. Again, this is were education comes in. Most don't know that Cervical Cancer affects majority African American Women. This year at least 370,000 new cases will be diagnosed. I lost a deer friend to this Cancer last Sept. She would have been 30 this year.

The sad part about it, she did not have to loose her life. Cancer deteriorates so quickly. She went to the doc over and over and over again. They kept treating the wrong thing or saying fibroid. When we finally got her into Georgetown University Hos, the cancer had progressed to stage IV.

Those who need or want more info, I will be more than happy to send them info on these subjects. Tia's Way Inc.'s newsletter will be up soon. Import inquiries only.



Most women don't know that you have to Tell your doc to check for HPV's and do pap & pelvic exams. In some cases if you have no insurance, you're treated differently. This is why we started Tia's Way Inc. to fight to prevent CC and assist women in treatment, screenings, as well as education.

I would love it if you took a look at our site www.tiasway.com & read her story, sign our guess book and/or share your thoughts.

Thanks for responding to this discussion. It's good to know others feelings/thoughts in a positive manner. This is a touchy subject that's over looked. It's not to anger or offend but to learn and educate each other.

[Darcel]

I don't know why in the world a 9 yr old girl would need the Gardasil shot? It's already been said before, we need to educate our kids on sex. Vaccines are not 100% anyway, not to mention the ingredients in them.

[LaTasha Taylor]

In June 2006, the FDA approved the use of Gardasil, an HPV vaccine, in young women ages 9 to 26. It is currently avThe basic idea is to get it before you're sexually active, so that no matter when you decide to become so, you're protected. Given that HPV is so widespread, and there's no way to telling who's infected with the harmful strain and who isn't, it's a good precaution - people frequently don't show any signs of it at all especially males. The vaccine has spawned much controversy, which has led to many parents being confused and unsure about whether to have their daughter vaccinated.


Though the only way to prevent HPV is abstinence, a vaccine prevents some forms that cause cervical cancer. So, the ACS recommends that to be most effective, the vaccine should be given to females before they are sexually active and in a series of 3 doses within 6 months starting with girls as young as nine-years-old.

[Nappykat]

I think some women's point is that if we educate our children about sex, sex related matters, and sexually transmitted diseases and the responsibility that comes with such a responsibility, then we wouldn't have to be innoculating our 9 year old's and a little older with drugs for STD's.

I don't believe that getting a vaccine for STD related cancer prevention (or talking about birth control or giving out condoms) gives tacit permission for kids to have sex, but I agree with the above.

However - I also understand that some kids will have sex with someone who may be inffected with anything (and possibly not know it). Some will be abused, raped, or molested. So you never know how or when their sexual experience may come about - so protecting them in a way that you can may be the answer. I'm not sure if this is one of those answers - it may be or it may not be. Again, I'm not sure.

Slightly different subject but alone the same line - many people are suffering different types of cancers. I do believe it comes from our environment, from toxins, from what we eat to how we eat. I also think cancer starts within, from our thoughts, our hurts, our wounds. Women especially seem to suffer in the womb area when we have hurt. I think that is our center and it absorbs everything - especially our heart, our grief, our abuse. I imagine years and decades of suffering physically, mentally, and emotionally could do a number on the body eventually.

From this website http://www.vitalaffirmations.com (which is taken directly from Louise Hay's 'Heal Your Body' although it doesn't make mention of that. I have the book)
it says of cancer 'What's eating at you? Deep hurt, secret or grief.

Curing and healing are not the same thing. A doctor can cure you, but healing comes from within. Just something to think about and share with our families.

[KimSyne]

I have a 13 year old and will not let her get the shot. You listed the side effects but didn't mention anything about the deaths of these girls shortly after getting the shot. There have been a reported 47 deaths according to Newsinferno.com. I don't believe it is worth the risk. You should beware of western medicine and their vaccines. Who knows what effects this will have in 5, 10, 15 years.

[Nappykat]

Most vaccines are either a live or dead version of the virus or bacteria that causes the dis-ease. So is gardacil a live or dead version of the HPV?

Does gardacil itself causes HPV? In the newsinferno.com that Kimsyne posted, it said that gardacil gave some women and girls warts.


Kimsyn, thanks for the infor.


It's because of vaccines that we have nearly wiped out polio and smallpox, so I have nothing against vaccines perse even though I might be a tad wary of them.

[MARY JANE]

So many opinions so many facts and side effects. We need to talk more with the young ladies .We all are sexual creatures and the consequences are many.One day its fine then 3 months later you hear horror stories.I am going to talk with my girls and young men about protecting them selves mentally and sexually, we all need to the world is full of too many germs and they are getting stronger.Insurances are changing we have to make our children aware.

[KimSyne]

That's the best advice yet. The government is taking more and
more from the parents. Or maybe parents just aren't talking to
their children. In stead of buying cell phones & prescriptions & video
games maybe we need to talk to our kids in their
language. Be bold, blunt & brutally honest. It can know longer be candy
coded- "Every disease you get is a result of something you put into your
body. Whether it is the food you eat, what you smoke, meds, or someone
else's body part! We teach them how to read, write & count. But we fail to teach
them how to live or how to be healthy." these kids are so smart that we must teach them
to research everything. We should do this with them. You will be shocked at some
at some of the truths.