Keeping you in the loop

Here's the deal: as far as I'm concerned from the research I've done the human papillomavirus vaccines, Gardasil and Cervarix, are basically frivolous. I'm not saying that some women's lives aren't saved by the vaccines because that's not true. All I'm saying is that I don't know if it's worth the time, money and trouble.

Though hugely prevalent, with one in four US women getting HPV in their lifetime and typically in their 20's, 70% of all HPV infections resolve themselves without treatment within a year of contraction. Within two years 90% of HPV infections will be cleared from the system. Even of the 10% of infections that remain, only 5% could result in cervical cancer.

In the US, cervical cancer is most prevalent in Hispanic women, occurring more than twice what is seen in white women. African-American and American Indian women also develop cervical cancer at an alarming rate of about 50% more than white women. Researchers believe that these population groups, as well as women with low economic statuses, are less likely to receive annual Pap smears. In the US between 1955 and 1992, the cervical cancer death rate declined by 74% and continues to decline by 4% every year because of regular Pap smears.

Additionally, four out of five women with cervical cancer are women in developing countries, not in the US. This of course isn't surprising; we have access to health care and regular Pap smears!

My take is that if you have multiple sexual partners, don't regularly get Pap smears, can afford the expensive three dose vaccine (or have a great health insurance), and aren't terrified by the side effects then get yourself protected, especially if you are Hispanic, American Indian or African-American.

Just don't get suckered into something just because there are catchy commercials about it.