Naked Science Forum
Life Sciences => Cells, Microbes & Viruses => Topic started by: chaduthz on 16/09/2007 07:59:20
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HPV vaccine is already being used almost world wide...It helps us women to avoid the cervix cancer.
I've heard that after you get this vaccine, you wouldn't have any more chance to get the cervix cancer.
But, is it true???
I've heard that there's also quite the same type of vaccine but it's not yet out in Indonesia [where I live]. It is said that woman until 50 years old could also have this vaccine, but does that mean that the vaccine which is sold in Indonesia now only works for teenage girls?? [???]
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hi! i don't know about the age limits or what they have available in indonesia, but the vaccine available in the us only protects against cervical cancer caused by the hpv virus. not any other types of cervical cancer. you would want to talk to your doctor about whether or not that vaccine is right for you. but hi and welcome to the forum! also, someone else will probably have more information, so make sure to stop back!
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We had a small discussion about HPV here, http://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/index.php?topic=6869.0 .I hope this helps.
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this podcast also contains information on the latest news regarding HPV
While politicians debate over whether it's right to require vaccination for the human papillomavirus (HPV), researchers continue to investigate the effectiveness of the vaccine and whether it can truly reduce the incidence of certain cancers. Join Ira and guests in this hour for a look at the latest in HPV research.
http://www.sciencefriday.com/pages/2007/May/hour1_051807.html
You may also try these links:
http://www.thenakedscientists.com/HTML/content/interviews/interview/367/
http://www.thenakedscientists.com/HTML/podcasts/show/2003.11.23/
http://www.thenakedscientists.com/HTML/content/interviews/interview/556/
There are more articles in the Naked Scientist archives. If you go to this page: http://www.thenakedscientists.com/HTML/search/ and enter the search keywords human papilloma virus you will find around 40 articles.
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good job paul
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An important point to note about the HPV vaccine is that whilst it can reduce the risk of developing cervical cancer, it provides protection against only two cancer-linked HPV strains - type 16 and 18.
Whilst these account for the majority of HPV-linked cancers, there many more strains that can and do trigger cancer, and which are passed on in an identical fashion. Since these strains are not represented in the vaccine, there is still a risk of cancer and therefore still a requirement for regular screening.
The major risk factors for cervical cancer therefore remain the same with increasing risk with increasing number of (uncircumcised) sexual partners. Uncircumcised penises are twice as likely to carry HPV.
Here's a commentary on reduced HPV carriage and circumcision:
http://www.cancer.org/docroot/NWS/content/NWS_1_1x_New_Study_Shows_Benefit_of_Male_Circumcision.asp
and a recent (2006) analysis published in BMC
http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2334/6/172
Chris
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But i've also heard that this vaccine works almost 99% for those who haven't done sex..so does that mean when a person have done it and she gets this vaccine, it'll be a no good???
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You are right that the vaccine is viewed as most effective when given to an individual prior to their "sexual debut", but again the same constraints mentioned above apply - that only strains 16 and 18 are represented, so there will still be cancers triggered by sexual encounters and caused by other forms of HPV; albeit less commonly than before.
Chris
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i've been quite surprised, with all the debate (at least in the US) and discussion about guardacill (the hpv vaccine) that there has been no discussion about vaccinating males. i don't see why we wouldn't. while males can't get cervical cancer, we can still be carriers of hpv, so if we're trying to irradicate the disease, wouldn't it make sense to vaccinate the whole population?
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oh now there's a thought