Schoolgirls have fainted because of it, some private schools have banned it and the media has increased its scrutiny on it. No it isn’t the latest iPod, body-art craze or heavy metal band—it’s the HPV vaccine.
When former Australian of the Year, Professor Ian Frazer co-discovered a vaccine for cervical cancer 15 years ago, women around the world rejoiced. But with the HPV vaccine now approved for distribution, excitement has given way to fears and doubts.
This negativity is fuelled by a lack of education, information and awareness about women’s gynaecological (gyno) health issues. Unlike breast cancer, there is a sense that talking about women’s health “down there” is taboo. With 200 women a year dying from cervical cancer, the time to start talking about gyno health is now.
What is HPV? The facts.
There is a concerning lack of awareness about HPV. Although 98% of Australian women are aware of cervical cancer, almost 60% have never heard of HPV. Furthermore, 75% are unaware of the link between HPV and cervical cancer.
To clear things up, HPV stands for Human Papilloma Virus. It is a sexually transmitted virus that mostly affects women aged 20 to 24 however it can also affect men. It is a very common virus—four out of five people will be infected with it at some stage.
In women, HPV causes seven forms of cervical cancer and also nine forms of genital warts. Usually the virus is cleared naturally by our immune system and in most cases, HPV will not develop into cervical cancer.
Pap smears are the traditional form of detection for cervical cancer. And since the HPV vaccine, also called Gardasil, only protects against four HPV types, pap smears are still necessary for sexually active women or those over 18.
Three shots for free!
It’s not often the federal government gives us something for free but it’s covering the cost of the HPV vaccine through a national vaccination program. A school-based immunisation program began in April 2007, with girls aged 12 to 18 receiving their first dose of Gardasil. The immunisation process occurs in three doses over a period of six months.
From July, a two-year community immunisation program will commence for young women under the age of 27, with GPs administering Gardasil. At the moment the safety and effectiveness of Gardasil has only been approved for females aged 9 to 26.
Fear and misinformation
Since Gardasil is relatively new, concerns over its safety and effectiveness are rampant.
In May, five Victorian girls were hospitalised after receiving the vaccine but discharged after overnight observation. Other cases of adverse reactions, including one involving temporary paralysis, have caused some people to question whether the vaccine is safe.
Professor Frazer remarked that such reactions were probably due to anxiety related to injections. He recently commented, "The overriding thing here is we've got a vaccine that is a cancer-preventing vaccine…that's got to be a good thing."
Possible side effects of Gardasil include nausea, fever, dizziness and pain, itching, redness or swelling around the injection site. However, the vaccine underwent extensive clinical trials before being approved for use and a recent study showed that HPV is 99% effective for girls who are not yet sexually active and 71% effective for those already exposed to HPV.
There have also been claims that the school-based HPV immunisation program leads to promiscuity. Two South Australian private schools have banned the vaccine because of fears that girls will become sexually active due to the reduced risk of developing HPV. The federal government announced it will not be taking action against these schools.
A better understanding
These absurd claims would not have occurred if there was better understanding about the nature of HPV. Obviously, a pamphlet isn’t enough to convince parents why the vaccine is important. There needs to be more community discussion, forums and information available on HPV and its link to cervical cancer.
The apprehension towards the HPV vaccine indicates a greater need to open the lid on gyno health. For girls, sex education in schools is all about getting their period; it fails to address real women’s health issues, such as why pap smears are so important. If we started talking about our health “down there” from a young age with our parents, friends and teachers, we wouldn’t be so scared about it later on.
According to the Gynaecological Awareness Information Network (GAIN), many women fear that talking about gyno health problems, even with their doctors, will lead to them being labelled as promiscuous. Sex happens and so does HPV but we need to understand that these issues are normal and okay to talk about.
The HPV vaccine is a testament to the wonders of modern medicine. The benefits of Gardasil far outweigh its risks. By improving community education on HPV and gyno health we can understand why Gardasil is such a good thing and protect future generations against the threat of cervical cancer.
How do I know this?
AAP 2007, ‘Govt allows schools to ban Gardasil jab’,
The West Australian, 30 May,
http://www.thewest.com.au/aapstory.aspx?StoryName=386818
AAP 2007, ‘Merck's HPV shot 'works for three years'’,
The West Australian, 10 May,
http://www.thewest.com.au/aapstory.aspx?StoryName=380916
Department of Health and Ageing 2006,
Australian Government funding of Gardasil,
http://www.health.gov.au/internet
/wcms/publishing.nsf/Content/gardasil_hpv.htm
Department of Health and Ageing 2006,
The National HPV Vaccination Program,
http://www.health.gov.au/cervicalcancer
Catalano, C 2007, ‘Debate on cervical vaccine’,
The Age, May 11,
http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/debate-on-cervical-vaccine/2007/05/10/1178390469734.html
Gynaecological Awareness Information Network (GAIN),
http://www.gain.org.au
Gynaecological Awareness Information Network (GAIN) 2006, 'Senate Community Affairs References Committee inquiry into gynaecological health in Australia',
Senate Standing Committee on Community Affairs,
http://www.aph.gov.au/SENATE/committee/clac_ctte/
gynaecological_cancer/submissions/sub14.pdf
Herald Sun 2007, ‘Trials back cancer vaccine’,
Herald Sun, 1 June,
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,21834444-662,00.html
Rennie, R 2007, ‘Vaccine is safe, says creator’,
The Age, May 22,
http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/vaccine-is-safe-says-creator/2007/05/22/1179601376505.html
