|
|
The Truth Behind the New Cervical Cancer
Vaccine
Dr. Don Parkerson, Jr.
Last summer, pharmaceutical
giant Merck announced FDA approval on the first cancer vaccine of any
type. Let’s look beyond the marketing and
press releases to see the new cervical cancer vaccine for what it really is.
What is Human Papillomavirus (HPV)?
Human
Papillomavirus (HPV) is a sexually transmitted disease that can cause cervical
cancer and genital warts. The CDC estimates
that 1 in 4 adult American women have been 
exposed to HPV.
Merck’s
new vaccine, Gardasil, targets four different strains of HPV. The four strains are HPV-6, HPV-11, HPV-16,
and HPV-18.
According
to studies, HPV-16 and HPV-18 account for 70% of all cervical cancers. Cervical cancer is cancer of the cervix,
which connects the vagina to the uterus.
HPV-6
and HPV-11 account for roughly 90% of the incidences of genital warts.
What
about cervical cancer that isn’t caused by HPV?
Roughly 30% of all cervical cancers occur in women
who have not contracted HPV. Merck’s
vaccine would have no preventative effects on any cervical cancers not caused
by HPV.
Will the vaccine become mandatory?
The CDC’s Advisory Committee
on Immunization Practices has recommended that all girls aged 11-12 receive the
vaccine. The idea is to vaccinate girls
before they begin sexual activity because HPV is the most common sexually
transmitted infection in the
After receiving intense
pressure from family advocate groups like Family Research Council and Focus on
the Family, Merck recently announced that the company would suspend its
national campaign for states to make its Gardasil vaccine mandatory.
Even still, legislation is
pending in several states that would require girls entering the 6th
grade to receive the vaccination unless an exemption is signed by parents.
Parents can opt out of these
vaccinations by filing an affidavit objecting to the vaccine because of
religious and/or philosophical differences.
What about the costs?
The vaccine is administered in
3 doses, with each dose costing $120.
With an estimated 7 million girls recommended to receive the 3 inoculations,
Gardasil revenues for Merck could reach over $2.5 billion in the
Should your daughter
receive this vaccination?
Choosing to vaccinate or not
vaccinate your children is a personal decision that all parents must make. To patients who ask me about this
controversial issue, my only recommendation is that you do your own research
and make an educated and informed decision.
The bottom line
Since
June of 2006, Merck has mass-marketed Gardasil as a vaccine against cervical
cancer. The truth is that that Gardasil is not a vaccine against cancer. Gardasil is a
vaccine against the sexually transmitted virus that causes 70% of cervical
cancers.
For further information on this topic, you may contact
Dr. Parkerson at 770.952.5353, by email at Parkerson@humberparkerson.com,
or visit our clinic on the web at www.HumberParkerson.com.
The Highest Level is the monthly e-mail newsletter of
the Humber Parkerson Clinic and is designed to empower our patients and the
general public to make informed decisions on issues of nutrition, lifestyle,
and spinal care. To receive The Highest
Level each month, e-mail your request to HighestLevel@humberparkerson.com.
© Humber Parkerson Clinic 2007
March 2007 issue of The Highest Level
