The One Less Campaign

My first reaction to seeing this commercial on T.V. was shock. While I’m not an expert by any stretch, I am very well informed about HPV and other STD’s. It became a fascinating topic to me when I got into full time youth work, and has continued on through the years as I began working with at-risk youth. The One Less Campaign is funded by Merck, a pharmaceutical company. While they claim to have public health as their main interest, I have my doubts. I was surprised to see their product marketed to girls as young as 9 years old, and wondered why it was only recommended to women up to age 26. So I’ve been doing some research. Over the next few posts, we’ll be discussing the debate surrounding the HPV vaccine, cervical cancer, and weighing the pros and cons of Merck’s answer to the prevention of cervical cancer deaths: Gardasil. I have already decided what I think and believe and do not pretend to be unbiased with my findings. The information is available to anyone willing to do the digging through news reports, public records, videos, doctor interviews, etc. The internet can be an amazing tool.

This vaccine is promoted as the hope of preventing some types of cervical cancer, so let’s start there. The following was taken directly from the American Cancer Society website. (Italicizing and some bolding of print was done by me.)

A risk factor is anything that increases a person’s chance of getting a disease. Some risk factors, such as smoking, can be controlled. Others, like a person’s age or race, can’t be changed. Several risk factors increase a woman’s chance of getting cervical cancer. In looking at risk factors, it is useful to focus on those that can be changed. Still, those that can’t be changed also serve to remind women about the importance of getting a Pap test.

For cervical cancer, the most important risk factor is infection with HPV (human papilloma virus). HPVs are a group of more than 100 types of viruses that cause warts. Some types of HPV cause genital warts. Other types cause cancer of the cervix. These are called “high-risk” HPVs. HPV is passed from one person to another during sex. Having unprotected sex, especially at a young age, makes HPV infection more likely. Also, women who have many sexual partners (or who have sex with men who have had many partners) have a greater chance of getting HPV.

Right now there is no cure or treatment for the HPV that causes changes in the cells of the cervix, but often the HPV infection goes away on its own without any treatment. HPV occurs mainly in young women and is less common in women over 30. We don’t know why this is so. Condoms (rubbers) may protect against HPV when they are used correctly, and it is important to use them because they do protect against AIDS and other sexual diseases.

The Pap test can find changes in the cells of the cervix caused by HPVs. While there is no cure for HPV, the abnormal cell growth they cause can be treated. Vaccines have been made that will prevent infection with some types of HPV. Right now, one vaccine has been approved for use by the FDA and others are in development.

Even though HPV is an important risk factor for cervical cancer, most women with this infection do not get cervical cancer. Doctors believe other factors must come into play for this cancer to develop. Some of these factors are listed below.

Smoking: Women who smoke are about twice as likely as those who don’t to get cervical cancer. Tobacco smoke can produce chemicals that may damage the DNA in cells of the cervix and make cancer more likely to occur.

HIV infection (human immunodeficiency virus): HIV is the virus that causes AIDS (it is not the same as HPV). It can also be a risk factor for cancer of the cervix. Being HIV positive makes a woman’s immune system less able to fight both HPV and early cancers.

Chlamydia (cluh-mid-ee-uh) infection: This is a rather common kind of bacteria that can infect women’s sex organs. It is spread during sex. Many women do not know they have it unless samples taken at the time of their Pap test are looked at for the bacteria. Some studies suggest that women who have this infection (or have had it in the past) are at greater risk for cancer of the cervix. While further studies are needed to find out if this is true, there are good reasons to avoid this infection or to have it treated. Long-term infection can cause other serious problems.

Diet can play a part as well. Diets low in fruits and vegetables are linked to an increased risk of cervical and other cancers. Also, women who are overweight are at a higher risk.

Birth control pills: Long-term use of birth control pills increases the risk of this cancer. Some studies show a higher risk after 5 or more years of use. You should talk to your doctor about the pros and cons of birth control in your own case.

Having many pregnancies: Woman who have had many full-term pregnancies have an increased risk of this cancer. No one really knows why this is, but it has been proven beyond doubt by large studies.

Low income: Poor women are at greater risk for cancer of the cervix. This may be because they cannot afford good health care, including Pap tests.

DES (diethylstilbestrol): This drug is a hormone that was used between 1940 and 1971 for some women who were in danger of miscarriages. The daughters of women who took this drug have a slightly higher risk of cancer of the vagina and cervix.

Family history: Recent studies suggest that women whose mother or sister has had cervical cancer are more likely to get the disease themselves. This could be because they are less able to fight off HPV than other women, or other factors could be involved.

What are the Key Statistics About Cervical Cancer?

The American Cancer Society estimates that in 2007, about 11,150 cases of invasive cervical cancer will be diagnosed in the United States. Some researchers estimate that non-invasive cervical cancer (carcinoma in situ) is about 4 times more common than invasive cervical cancer.

About 3,670 women will die from cervical cancer in the United States during 2007. Cervical cancer was once one of the most common causes of cancer death for American women. The cervical cancer death rate declined by 74% between 1955 and 1992. The main reason for this change is the increased use of the Pap test. This screening procedure can find changes in the cervix before cancer develops. It can also find early cancer in its most curable stage. The death rate from cervical cancer continues to decline by nearly 4% a year.

Cervical cancer tends to occur in midlife. Half of women diagnosed with this cancer are between the ages of 35 and 55. It rarely occurs in women younger than 20. Although cervical cancer does affect young women, many older women do not realize that the risk of developing cervical cancer is still present as they age. Slightly over 20% of women with cervical cancer are diagnosed when they are over 65. It is important for older women to continue having regular Pap tests at least until age 70, and possibly longer. See the section, “Can Cervical Cancer Be Prevented?” for more specific information on current American Cancer Society screening recommendations.

Cervical cancer occurs most often in Hispanic women; the rate is over twice that in non-Hispanic white women. African-American women develop this cancer about 50% more often than non-Hispanic white women.

The 5-year relative survival rate for the earliest stage of invasive cervical cancer is 92%. The overall (all stages combined) 5-year survival rate for cervical cancer is about 72%.

The 5-year survival rate refers to the percentage of patients who live at least 5 years after their cancer is diagnosed. Five-year rates are used to produce a standard way of discussing prognosis. Of course, many people live much longer than 5 years. Five-year relative survival rates exclude patients dying of other diseases. This means that anyone who died of another cause, such as heart disease, is not counted.

Keep in mind that 5-year survival rates are based on patients diagnosed and initially treated more than 5 years ago. Improvements in treatment often result in a more favorable outlook for recently diagnosed patients.

To read the most frequently asked question about HPV vaccines, click this link:

http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_6x_FAQ_HPV_Vaccines.asp