Cervical cancer ranks among the most preventable cancers. Two vaccines, Cervarix and Gardasil, are available to protect women against most types of HPV that cause cervical cancer. Gardasil prevents genital warts and cervical cancer caused by HPV types 6,11,16 and 18 in girls and young women ages 9 through 26. It is also used to prevent genital warts caused by HPV types 6 and 11 in boys and young men ages 9 through 26. The CDC recommends the vaccine for all girls ages 11 to 12 years old. Gardasil works best when given before an individual becomes sexually active and potentially exposed to HPV. The vaccine is also recommended for young women between the ages of 13 and 25 who have not yet been vaccinated or completed all booster shots.
Technically Gardasil does not have a booster shot. The vaccine is administered in a series of three shots similar to the DPT that infants receive for protection against Diptheria, Pertussis and Tetanus which then has a separate booster later on. In addition Gardasil does not protct against most types of HPV that cause cancer. Instead, it protects against two of the high risk strains which cause 70% of cervical cancers. Aside from cervical dysplasia and/or cancer prevention, the vaccine also protects against vaginal, vulvar, penile and anal dysplasias and/or cancer.
Depending upon which research you utilize, the percentage of individuals whose immune system fails to control the virus such that it enters a dormancy state ranges from 15 to 40%. Most research states 30% of HPV infections will not resolve on their and persist, potentially resulting in abnormal effects of the cells causing dysplasia which can further progress to cancer in many cases if untreated.
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Technically Gardasil does not have a booster shot. The vaccine is administered in a series of three shots similar to the DPT that infants receive for protection against Diptheria, Pertussis and Tetanus which then has a separate booster later on. In addition Gardasil does not protct against most types of HPV that cause cancer. Instead, it protects against two of the high risk strains which cause 70% of cervical cancers. Aside from cervical dysplasia and/or cancer prevention, the vaccine also protects against vaginal, vulvar, penile and anal dysplasias and/or cancer.
August 10, 2011 - 4:12amThis Comment
Depending upon which research you utilize, the percentage of individuals whose immune system fails to control the virus such that it enters a dormancy state ranges from 15 to 40%. Most research states 30% of HPV infections will not resolve on their and persist, potentially resulting in abnormal effects of the cells causing dysplasia which can further progress to cancer in many cases if untreated.
August 10, 2011 - 4:00amThis Comment