1. Guard With Gardasil
The cervical cancer vaccine, Gardasil, has the amazing ability to prevent cancer from occurring. Researchers developed the vaccine because of statistics which show that cervical cancer affects approximately 10,000 women a year in the US. Furthermore, over 4,000 women a year die due to cervical cancer complications. Even if cervical cancer treatment proves successful, a woman may lose the ability to conceive. This can have a devastating effect since many cases of cervical cancer occur in women under the age of 40.
2. How It Works
Cervical cancer occurs most often when a woman is infected with certain strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV), a sexually transmitted disease. When a woman receives the cervical cancer vaccine, the body is protected against HPV transmission. Since she will never contract the virus, she's unlikely to develop the cell abnormalities that cause cervical cancer. Moreover, the cervical cancer vaccine protects against additional strains of HPV, which cause genital warts.
3. Why Start So Young?
Much of the controversy surrounding the cervical cancer vaccine has to deal with the age recommendations for the vaccination. Physicians recommend the vaccine to girls during their preteen years. Detractors think it's wrong for young girls who are not yet sexually active to receive protection against a STD. The reason for the recommendation is because at this age a girl probably has not been exposed to HPV. Also, when the vaccine is given at a young age, she'll have a chance to build up more antibodies against the virus. If you have a greater number of antibodies, you further decrease your chances of infection. However, girls over the age of 13 can still receive the cervical cancer vaccine. The CDC recommends vaccination for women up to the age of 26.
4. Dosing Recommendations
When you get the cervical cancer vaccine, Gardasil, you'll have to receive a series of shots. During a 6-month period, you'll receive three doses of the vaccine. After the first shot, you'll receive the next inoculation 2 months later. The last dose is given 4 months after the second shot. Three inoculations are required to ensure that the girl receives the highest level of antibodies needed to protect against HPV. Minimal side effects are reported, but some women have mild flu-like symptoms. Researchers are still attempting to discover how long the inoculation lasts. In the future, you may need additional booster shots to stay protected.
5. Not a Virgin? Not a Problem
Many people have the mistaken impression that you must get the cervical cancer vaccine before you're sexually active. As long as you don't have HPV, you can still get protection with the cervical cancer vaccine. However, to offer the longest amount of protection, you should get the vaccine at a young age.
