Exclusive Interview - Trinitas Hospital

HEALTHWISE
UPDATE ON GARDASIL ®
FOR CERVICAL CANCER
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a viral
infection that is transmitted by having
sexual relations with a partner who carries
the virus. There are over 100 different
strains of HPV, 30 of them which
can be transmitted through sexual contact.
Certain types of HPV can cause
genital warts, precancerous lesions on
the cervix, or cervical cancer.
Gardasil to the Rescue
Fortunately, in 2006, a revolutionary
vaccine called Gardasil won approval
from the Food and Drug Administration
which prevents infections of HPV
strains 16, 18, 6 and 11. HPV 16 and
18 cause 70% of cervical cancer
cases and types 6 and 11 cause
approximately 90% of genital warts
incidences. Because there are so
many forms of the virus, vaccination
does not keep women safe from all
cancer-producing types of HPV.
Therefore, annual Pap smears are
still highly recommended.
Who is Eligible for Vaccination
Because Gardasil takes effect before
contact is made with HPV types 6, 11,
16, and 18, girls as young as nine
are eligible for the vaccine. Young
women up to the age of 26 – preferably
those who have not yet been
exposed to sexual activity – are
advised to be vaccinated. Even those
who have been sexually active for a
number of years can still benefit from
Gardasil because the probability that
they have been exposed to all 100
strains of HPV is incredibly low.
However, Gardasil only prevents
infections from HPV; it does not treat
those already infected.
Is Gardasil Safe
Given in three doses over a six-month
period, there have been no reported
serious side effects to date. Not only
has Gardasil been licensed by the
FDA and approved by the CDC
(Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention), its safety is continuously
being strictly monitored.
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