Cervical Cancer Vaccine. I decided to speak to a professional to obtain their opinion on the Cervical Cancer vaccine. I contacted my local surgery and spoke to one of their doctors.

‘The vaccine offers a promising new approach to the prevention of HPV and associated conditions. However, it will not replace other prevention strategies since vaccines will not work for all HPV types’ [3]

Human Papilloma Virus

Particles [4]

How effective is the vaccine?

The effectiveness of the HPV vaccine has primarily been studied in young women (ages 16-26) who previously had not been exposed to the specific HPV types. The clinical trials showed the vaccine was nearly 100% efficient in preventing cervical precancers, vulvar and vaginal precancers, and genital warts caused by the four vaccine types.

‘Females who are sexually active may also benefit from the vaccine. But they may get less benefit from the vaccine since they may already have been exposed or infected with one or more of the HPV types covered by the vaccine.’ [5]

In women already infected with a targeted HPV type, the vaccine did not prevent disease from that HPV type but did protect against other vaccine types.

This graph shows that the death rate from Cervical Cancer has decreased over time. [6]

A professional’s Opinion

I decided to speak to a professional to obtain their opinion on the Cervical Cancer vaccine. I contacted my local surgery and spoke to one of their doctors.

‘I think it is very exciting that there is a vaccine to prevent the HPV virus developing. I definitely see the vaccine in a positive light and agree that females will benefit from having it. However, there is always a risk in having the vaccine but here the benefits outweigh the risks.’ - Dr. Robin Slowe, Rookery Medical Centre, Newmarket 

I could not find any examples graphs that directly showed that the HPV vaccine reduces the number of deaths from Cervical Cancer so I decided to get a graph that shows a similar situation.

This graph shows that the number of deaths from Measles, Scarlet Fever, Typhoid, Whooping Cough and Diphtheria were dramatically reduced when vaccines concerning these infectious diseases were introduced. [7]

Implications

Safety of the vaccine

Studies show that the vaccine is extremely safe as there are no live viruses in the vaccine. The vaccine underwent extensive safety checks before it was introduced.

However, the risk of severe, life-threatening reactions after immunisation has been estimated at about one per million vaccine doses. It is not clear whether death is a result of a reaction to the vaccine, or to an underlying health condition that the patient already had. It could even have been a psychological response to the vaccine; where patients believe they have had symptoms when in fact no physical reaction to the vaccine has occurred.

Costs of the vaccine

The Cervical Cancer vaccine is not cheap, per patient the vaccine costs around £300, which is delivered as three injections over a six-month period. The immunisation of 12- and 13-year-olds will cost £100m a year and the catch-up campaign for girls under 18 will cost up to £200m a year. [9]

Controversy

Because of the link between sexual promiscuity and the risk of developing the HPV virus some Christian groups have expressed concern that the vaccination may encourage promiscuity.

However, in a survey carried out by Cancer Research UK scientists, 75% of mothers said they want their daughters to receive the HPV vaccination. Only a small minority of mothers were worried that the vaccination would encourage promiscuity. [10]

Alternative solutions to the Cervical Cancer vaccine

There are many things that women can do to decrease the risk of developing cervical cancer, these include:

1. Getting regular Pap smear tests and following up any abnormal results - Pap smear tests can be one of the greatest defences for cervical cancer.

Since its introduction over 50 years ago, the Pap test has been a huge contributor to the decline in cervical cancer. In fact, from the mid-1950’s, until the early 1990’s, cervical cancer deaths were reduced by more than 70%. And that rate continues to decline today. [11]

A graph to show how Pap Smear tests have contributed to the decline in cases of Cervical Cancer from 1975 – 2003. [11]

The Pap smear test can detect cervical changes early before they turn into cancer. The purpose of these tests is to detect these changes to the cells in the cervix early on so they can be treated and, ideally, cancer can be prevented from developing. 

If you have had an abnormal Pap smear test result as there are serious changes in the cells of the cervix, the doctor will suggest more powerful tests. Results of these tests will help your doctor decide on the best treatment. These tests include:

• Colposcopy: The doctor uses a tool called a colposcope to see the cells of the vagina and cervix in detail.
• Endocervical curettage: The doctor takes a sample of cells from the endocervical canal with a small spoon-shaped tool called a curette.
• Biopsy: The doctor removes a small sample of cervical tissue. The sample is sent to a lab to be studied under a microscope. [12]

If cervical cancer is actually found, the patient is usually referred to a gynaecologist for treatment. Treatment depends on how advanced the cancer is and may include surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy.

Although having Pap smear tests is cheaper than having the HPV vaccine, the two solutions combined could be a more cost-effective method for reducing the number of cases of Cervical Cancer.

Safety of the Pap Smear test

There are no known medical risks associated with Pap smear tests. (However, there are medical risks from not having a Pap smear.)

Controversy

The Pap Smear test is less controversial than the HPV vaccine as it will not promote sexual promiscuity in any way.

2. Quitting smoking or avoiding second-hand smoke - Smoking cigarettes increases your risk of developing many cancers, including cervical cancer. In fact, smokers are twice as likely to develop cervical cancer as non-smokers. Smoking combined with an HPV infection can actually accelerate cervical dysplasia.

3. Limiting the amount of sexual partners you have and using a condom - Studies have shown women who have an increased number of sexual partners have an increased risk of developing cervical cancer. They also are increasing their risk of developing HPV, a known cause for cervical cancer. Studies have also shown that having unprotected sex puts you at risk for HIV and other STD's which can increase your risk factor for developing cervical cancer. Therefore having protected sex will decrease the risk of developing cervical cancer.

1.

Evaluation

I think the sources I used are reliable as they are from professional websites including Cancer Research UK and the Gynaecologic Cancer Foundation. My non-web source is a NHS booklet and I also got the opinion of a doctor, which is a reliable source as he possesses expertise in this field of knowledge.

My opinion on the solutions for Cervical Cancer

Females are very fortunate that Cervical Cancer can now be prevented from developing. However it is important not to rely on just one possible solution for Cervical Cancer. Different solutions, for example having the vaccination and also having regular Pap smear tests, need to be combined to get the best results and to maintain good health.

References and Bibliography

[1] Office for National Statistics. Mortality Statistics, England and Wales, 2007. Accessed 2009

[2] NHS booklet (Beating cervical cancer – questions and answers)

[3] Sexually Transmitted Diseases Treatment Guidelines, 2006

[4] Russel Kightley Media (http://www.rkm.com.au/imagelibrary/index.html)

[5] Gynaecologic Cancer Foundation 

[6] http://info.cancerresearchuk.org/cancerstats/types/cervix/mortality/index.htm

[7] http://www.vaclib.org/sites/debate/Vaccines.html

[8] http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/6223000.stm

[9] http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/2007/oct/26/uknews.health

[10] http://scienceblog.cancerresearchuk.org/2009/03/18/behind-the-headlines-hpv-vaccines-and-cervical-cancer/

[11] http://www.nccc-online.org/patient_info/pap_tests.html

[12] http://www.womenshealth.gov/faq/pap-test.cfm

[13] http://www.medicinenet.com/pap_smear/page3.htm

[14] http://www.insp.mx/rsp/articulos/articulo.php?id=000770

http://www.nature.com/nrc/journal/v8/n9/abs/nrc2462.html

http://www.cancerhelp.org.uk/type/cervical-cancer/

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/cervical-cancer-vaccine/WO00120

http://www.immunisation.nhs.uk/Vaccines/HPV

http://www.cervicalcancer.com.au/protect-yourself

http://www.cervicalcancercampaign.org

http://cancer.about.com/od/cervicalcancer/a/preventcervical.htm

http://www.womenshealth.gov/faq/pap-test.cfm

http://www.mountauburnhealthconnection.com/article.php?a=21

http://www.resource-allocation.com/content/6/1/4