What cervical cancer vaccine means for women’s health
It’s finally here: A vaccine that’s 100% effective in blocking the two most common viruses that cause cervical cancer. And with federal approval granted and guidelines set for its usage, doctors can now offer this protection to patients.
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New federal guidelines recommend
that girls age 11 and 12 should
receive the new cervical cancer
vaccine to protect them from the
virus that can cause the disease. |
The target for the Gardasil vaccine will be 11- and 12-year-old girls, according to a July recommendation by the Center for Disease Control’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. Patients will usually receive the vaccine during routine visits to their pediatrician or family physician.
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Take action against
cervical cancer
Lancaster General is offering cervical cancer screenings free of charge to women who qualify, through June 30. Click here to learn more! |
“Although it’s a voluntary vaccine, this should become as routine as vaccinations for chicken pox or the measles,” says John Eichenlaub, MD, Medical Director of Lancaster General Women & Babies Hospital.
“We have received multiple requests for the vaccine,” he says. “Now with these guidelines finally established, we have the vaccine and are making it available to our patients.”
Gardasil was developed by Merck, Inc. and approved by the Food and Drug Administration in June. It is effective in stopping only four of the 100-plus types of human papilloma virus (HPV). But two of those strains, HPV16 and 18, are accountable for about 70% of cervical cancer cases. The other two strains account for 90% of all cases of genital warts.
“That means it will be possible to contract other strains of the virus, even if vaccinated. So women will still need annual pap tests for cervical cancer,” advises Jacqueline Evans, DO, Cancer Care for Women. But this vaccine and regular screenings should significantly reduce a woman’s chances of contracting cervical cancer.
The vaccine is recommended for all female patients up to age 26, even if they’ve tested positive for HPV. Older patients can receive vaccination from their ob/gyn physician.
“Even if a woman has tested positive for HPV, she might not have these cancer-causing strands,” Dr. Eichenlaub says. “So the vaccine may still be able to protect her from cervical cancer.”
Eliminating a deadly disease
Worldwide, cervical cancer is the third leading killer of women. In the U.S., while screenings have successfully reduced the number of cases, an estimated 3,700 women still die from cervical cancer each year.
“Its real impact will be felt in low-resource countries where cervical cancer is still a leading killer of women at young ages,” adds Elizabeth Horenkamp, MD, Hematology/Oncology Physicians of Lancaster, a Lancaster General Medical Group practice.
“It’s critical that cervical cancer is caught in the early stages,” Dr. Horenkamp says. “Unfortunately, developing countries don’t have the resources we have or see it as high a priority. But if one day an inexpensive vaccine could prevent a major medical expense and improve survival rates, its overall global impact will be huge.”
The cost estimate for the vaccine is $360, although it is likely that insurance companies will cover the cost. It’s still early, but some insurance
companies have agreed to pay for the vaccination. “Considering the health problems this will prevent, it’ll be in their financial best interest to make this a covered expense.”
The vaccine will be administered in three doses: the initial dose, two months later and six months later. Dr. Evans says it’s still too early to know if a booster will be necessary to maintain the vaccine’s effectiveness.
At this time, boys will not receive the vaccine. However, since boys can be carriers of the HPV virus, that may change in the future after more clinical studies are conducted about its effectiveness on boys.
Why vaccinate pre-teens?
By the time they’re adults, 80% of women have been exposed to HPV. So in order for the vaccine to protect an adult woman, she’ll need to receive the vaccine in pre-adolescence, ideally by the age of 12.
“We recognize that it’s going to be awkward for some parents to explain to their children why they need to be protected from a sexually transmitted disease,” Dr. Eichenlaub says. “But it’s an important vaccine. And it’s not telling adolescents that it’s OK to become sexually active.”
Dr. Eichenlaub adds, “This is actually an opportunity parents can use to help their child understand the risks, consequences and responsibilities associated with being sexually active.”
It will be another 10-20 years—when the first recipients of the vaccine reach adulthood—before a significant drop in abnormal pap tests and cervical cancer cases will be noticeable.
“But for adult women, regular screening and testing will continue to make cervical cancer preventable and one of the most treatable forms of cancer,” says Dr. Horenkamp. “When caught early enough, surgery and radiation/chemotherapy treatments have a high survival rate,” she says.
“Fortunately, we don’t see cervical cancer very much anymore, thanks to the many advances in screening and treatments,” Dr. Horenkamp says. “It wasn’t that long ago we didn’t know what caused cervical cancer. Now we have a vaccine that can prevent it.”
While the vaccine will protect future generations from the disease, women can still take precautions now to reduce their chances of contracting the virus. Monogamy and condom use are the two most effective methods of protection. Living a healthy lifestyle is also important. “Vitamin deficiencies and smoking can put you at a higher risk of developing cervical cancer,” says Dr. Evans.
And annual gynecological exams and pap tests give doctors the chance to catch any problems in time.
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