Few vaccines have generated as much controversy as Gardasil. Conservative religious groups decry that it encourages premarital sex and promiscuity, anti-vaccination groups criticize the lack of safety studies, and about
20 state governments are doing their best to make this "miraculous cancer vaccine" mandatory for young girls. Parents who resist this new vaccine are being put on the spot for selfishly leaving their daughters exposed to a dangerous sexually transmitted disease. Scientists are revealing evidence that it may also protect boys and men.
So what is the big deal about Gardasil? What is it supposed to do, and what is it actually doing?
"One Less"
Visit Gardasil.com and you will learn how you can become "One less life affected by cervical cancer." Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Types 6, 11, 16 and 18 cause "70% of cervical cancer cases" and "90% of genital warts cases." The virus is spread through any kind of genital contact, not just intercourse.
People can carry the virus without knowing it and unwittingly pass it on. The Centers For Disease Control estimate that 20 million people in the United States had HPV in 2005.
It is worth noting that not all of those cases are caused by the strains present Gardasil. Gardasil protects against 4 types of HPV. There a over 100, with 30-40 of them being sexually transmitted.
What Are The Cervical Cancer Rates?
According to Cancer.org, "Only some women with pre-cancerous changes of the cervix will develop cancer. This process usually takes several years but sometimes can happen in less than a year. For most women, pre-cancerous cells will remain unchanged and go away without any treatment. But if these pre-cancers are treated, almost all true cancers can be prevented." Between 1955 and 1992, cervical cancer rates dropped over 70% due to pap screenings. Most cases occur in middle-aged women, and it is rare in women under age 20. The 5-year survival rate for cervical cancer is 72%.
So what is the big deal about Gardasil? What is it supposed to do, and what is it actually doing?
"One Less"
Visit Gardasil.com and you will learn how you can become "One less life affected by cervical cancer." Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Types 6, 11, 16 and 18 cause "70% of cervical cancer cases" and "90% of genital warts cases." The virus is spread through any kind of genital contact, not just intercourse.
People can carry the virus without knowing it and unwittingly pass it on. The Centers For Disease Control estimate that 20 million people in the United States had HPV in 2005.
It is worth noting that not all of those cases are caused by the strains present Gardasil. Gardasil protects against 4 types of HPV. There a over 100, with 30-40 of them being sexually transmitted.
What Are The Cervical Cancer Rates?
According to Cancer.org, "Only some women with pre-cancerous changes of the cervix will develop cancer. This process usually takes several years but sometimes can happen in less than a year. For most women, pre-cancerous cells will remain unchanged and go away without any treatment. But if these pre-cancers are treated, almost all true cancers can be prevented." Between 1955 and 1992, cervical cancer rates dropped over 70% due to pap screenings. Most cases occur in middle-aged women, and it is rare in women under age 20. The 5-year survival rate for cervical cancer is 72%.
Cervical Cancer Vaccine: Cure or Curse?
As early as next year, women could see a new shot on the market. This shot, called Gardasil, protects against two strains of HPV (Human Papilloma Virus) that cause cervical cancer, plus two additional types of HPV tha...
Cervical Cancer Vaccine and the Controversies
Cervical cancer, the common disease, meets up with Gardasil, the new cure.....at least that is what many thousand people want to happen. Social conservatives are concerned about spiking teen sexual activiity.
Cervical Cancer:Vaccine
The new FDA approved cervical cancer vaccine is to be used in young non-sexually active young women as a preventative measure to contracting the sexually transmitted disease HPV that can cause cervical cancer.
Concerns Grow as Gardasil, the Cervical Cancer Vaccine, is Linked to Thr...
Gardasil, designed to protect young women from cervical cancer caused by HPV, has been controversial from the beginning. But more serious risks are coming to light.
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- Cervical cancer is a rare STD that occurs primarily in middle-aged women
- Gardasil adverse reactions include fainting, paralysis, and death
- The CDC itself opposes making Gardasil mandatory
Type in Your Comments Below
Alisa Elizabeth King Terry
06/18/2009
The FDA just issued a warning about Gardasil reactions, including passing out immediately after the vaccine is administered. They are approving a revised label to instruct doctors to keep patients lying down and observe them for at least 15 minutes, because the fainting or seizure-like activity can lead to further illness or injury. You can read more about this at http://www.fda.gov/BiologicsBloodVaccines/Vaccines/ApprovedProducts/ucm165145.htm
Carmella Mae Dunkin - Writer and Photographer
06/18/2009
Excelent, EXCELENT article! I am, as someone put it in my hubby's gardasil article today, an activist I guess, LOL against ALL vaccines. I have a long history with 6 children and horrible reactions, and even getting what the vaccine was supposed to protect them from! You did WONDERFUL on this article, I cannot say enough good for all you wrote, and directing everyone to the gardasil insert direct from Merck themself, was fabulous! How can anyone argue with that? Here is a real sad one, Merck is now sending out mailers to all moms of pre teen girls! Got mine just the other day, I plan to write Merck and relieve some frustration, LOL
Great job!
mystic summer
09/20/2007
I don't understand why this is only marketed to girls under 26. I wonder that every time i see the commercials.
Ilena Rose
08/19/2007
Excellent article!
I shudder that school is starting soon and in Canada they are pushing a huge mass immunization.
There are now 7 reported deaths after Gardasail and over 2200 adverse reports.
Let us not use our little girls as Lab Rats so that Merck can profit.
http://ilena-rosenthal.blogspot.com
R.W.
08/14/2007
Nice article!
Lea Anderson
07/26/2007
Great article. As a conservative religious person and a somewhat crunchy momma, I'm repulsed by the hype about this shot!
Bunting Resources
06/14/2007
As always Alisa thanks for this information.
Alisa Elizabeth King Terry
06/14/2007
So, if the greatest risk is to women over 35, than why press for teenage girls to get it? Because you can't force adult women to get vaccines. Think about it.
Kathleen Rundle
06/14/2007
Thank you for putting all the facts together in one place, and simply enough for almost anyone to understand. This is one of your most important articles right now.
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