Health News
Cervical Cancer Vaccine Mandatory?
June 30, 2006
The recently approved cervical cancer vaccine Gardasil may become mandatory for all girls before they enter a certain grade in school. It is believed that the vaccine may prevent up to 70% of cervical cancer cases.
The suggestion that this vaccine become mandatory comes from a team of federal scientists. Now this proposal is working its way towards legislation, which would result in mandatory vaccines. Much of the controversy surrounding this proposal stems from the disease being sexually transmitted; it is not something than children can just get in school.
Gardasil is said to protect women from four strains of HPV, two of which lead to most cancer cases. The other two strains cause genital warts. Almost one quarter of teens acquire HPV, and symptoms usually lay dormant for months or even years.
Currently the Pap test is the best preventative measure women can take to monitor cervical cancer development.