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Preventing Cervical Cancer with a New Vaccine

May 23, 2007 (King City, CA) - It's considered a medical breakthrough in women's healthcare – a vaccine to prevent cervical cancer, the number two cause of women's cancer deaths worldwide.  But it comes with some controversy.

Girls and young women, primarily between ages 11 to 21, are now being encouraged to get the vaccine before they become sexually active and run the risk of contracting the human papilloma virus (HPV).  Some types of HPV can cause cervical cancer.  Two states have even made it mandatory for sixth grade entry, with some exceptions.

“There are over 100 types of HPVs that can infect us, says Dr. Sandra Montijo, one of King City’s best pediatricians who practices at the Mee Memorial Clinic.  “HPV infection is transmitted primarily by sexual contact, and the risk of infection increases as the number of sexual partners increases, but as parents we don’t like to think about that possibility with our 13-year old daughters.  That is why I recommend vaccinating your daughter as a girl to help prevent her from getting cervical cancer as a woman.”   

Called Gardasil^®  (approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use in women between 9 and 26 years of age), this recently introduced vaccine marks a milestone in women's health that could have worldwide impact.  In fact, research indicates if all eligible women received this vaccine, the global incidence of cervical cancer could be reduced by as much as 70%.

Another vaccine directed at HPV types 16 and 18 is currently being tested, and initial clinical trials with the vaccine have shown that the HPV-16/18 vaccine is safe and induces a high degree of protection against HPV-16/18 infection.  These encouraging results suggest that widespread vaccination for HPV types could begin in the near future.

“HPV infection is now considered to be the most common sexually transmitted infection in the nation, and we believe that at least 75% of the reproductive-age population has been infected with sexually transmitted HPV at some point in their lives,” says Dr. Montijo.  “We think that more than 6 million people become infected with HPV every year in our country, and approximately 50% of those infected are between the ages of 15 and 25.”

HPV infection is common and does not usually lead to the development of warts, cancers – or even symptoms.  In fact, the majority of people infected with HPV have no symptoms or lesions at all. 

It has not been definitely established whether the immune system is able to permanently clear the body of an HPV infection.  In many cases, a person will test positive for HPV infection and then have negative HPV tests for months to years, only to have a positive test result at a later time.  It is presently unclear if this is due to a latent (continuing but hidden) viral infection or if the person has become re-infected with the virus.

It is important to note that in the United States and other developed countries, screening and early treatment of pre-cancerous changes of the cervix have dramatically reduced the incidence of cervical cancer.  In developing countries lacking the medical infrastructure or financial means to implement a screening system, the incidence of cervical cancer resulting from HPV infection is much higher.  In fact, cervical cancer develops in around 500,000 women each year worldwide – and in many countries, it is the most common cancer to kill women.

There is no cure or treatment that can eradicate HPV infection, so the only currently possible treatment is to remove the lesions caused by the virus.  Unfortunately, even removal of the warts does not necessarily prevent the spread of the virus, and genital warts frequently recur.  None of the available treatment options is ideal or clearly superior to others.

Dr. Montijo encourages women to talk with their doctors about this vaccine, which consists of a series of three (intra-muscular) shots given over a six-month period.  Other questions for you to ask your doctor include:

• Who should get the Gardasil^® vaccine?
• How does the vaccine work?
• What is the vaccine's safety and effectiveness?
•  How many shots are needed?
• How long does it last?

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Montijo or any of Mee’s pediatricians, or to learn more about HPV, call 831.385.6000.

Mee Memorial Hospital is a 123-bed, not-for-profit hospital and the anchor facility of Mee Health Systems, a network of healthcare centers, clinics and outreach programs throughout King City, Soledad, Greenfield and Paso Robles.  Its Mee Memorial Cancer Center will open in 2007 in Paso Robles.  Mee Health Systems is committed to the wellness of our community and providing access to comprehensive healthcare in a caring, professional and responsible environment.