The vast majority of HPV strains go undetected and unnoticed and are quickly destroyed by our immune systems.

Although almost 250 strains of HPV have been detected, only 4 of them have been found to lead to cervical cancer. Of these, #16 and #18 are the most dangerous.

Cervical cancer is treatable in its early stages, but the problem is that it often goes undetected until the cancer is well advanced and inoperable. The HPV strains that cause cervical cancer can sit dormant for long periods of time while they slowly alter the structure of cervical cells.

Therefore, it is critical for all women between the ages of 18 and 60 who are sexually active to have regular Pap tests. A Pap smear can detect the presence of abnormal cells so that further investigations can be conducted.

What is the HPV Vaccine?

The HPV vaccine doesn’t prevent HPV; it has been developed to prevent cervical cancer that occurs as a direct result of HPV.

The vaccine was discovered by a team led by Professor Ian Frazer from the Queensland University’s Centre for Immunology and Cancer Research.

The cervical cancer vaccine available in Australia is Gardasil and a campaign is under way to vaccinate all girls and women between the ages of 12 and 18 via a schools-based program. The vaccine is administered by medical practitioners in a series of 3 injections. All 3 injections have to be completed before the vaccine can be guaranteed successful.

However, the vaccine is not guaranteed if the recipient has already been sexually active and at risk of having already been exposed to HPV.

Why is there Controversy Surrounding the Vaccine?

Various groups have opposed the vaccine in school age girls for a variety of reasons.

• The HPV vaccine has only been available for a short period of time, so the long term viability of the vaccine has not been fully investigated.
• During the clinical tests on animals, it was discovered that excessive doses of polysorbate 80, which is used as a chemical stabilizer in the vaccine, resulted in infertility in some animals. However, the doses of polysorbate 80 were administered regularly over a prolonged period of time – way more than the low doses in the vaccine.
• While limited side effects, including slight nausea or irritation around the site of the injection, have been noted in Australia, US tests have indicated that up to 3 girls have died as a result of being vaccinated. The proof is inconclusive at this stage.

While clinical tests of the HPV treatment in Australia and the US have proven to be virtually 100% effective against HPV types #16 and #18, it does not offer protection against the many other strains of HPV and won’t protect women who have had a sexual experience before the vaccine was administered.

So it remains imperative that all women over the age of 18 have a Pap smear at least once every 2 years, regardless of whether or not they have had the HPV vaccine. Medical experts suggest that women who are sexually active with a number of partners undergo Pap tests at least once every year.

The slight discomfort that a number of young girls experience when given the HPV vaccine is nothing when compared to the consequences of cervical cancer, so the solution for parents is to gather as much information as possible about HPV and its consequences and then make an informed decision.

It is not opinion but objective truth that the HPV vaccine is an excellent discovery. There has been some unfortunate controversy over the vaccine, but there should not be. Everybody should know about the HPV vaccine.

Why a vaccine?

We’ve always had condoms, but condoms, unfortunately, aren’t 100% safe. Even a properly manufactured and applied condom does not cover the surface surrounding the genitals, which can also carry the HPV viruses. The HPV vaccine has been shown to have a nearly 100% success rate.

So why the controversy?

The vaccine is most effective for women if received between the ages of 13 and 26 and before they become sexually active. Various parties have protested the education and administration of the vaccine to young people, saying that it serves as a virtual permission slip to have unprotected, promiscuous sex.

Personal values aside, the HPV vaccine might save millions of lives. For a time, a vaccine for HPV was considered a sort of “holy grail” of medicine. As there is no cure for HPV itself, only treatment for the symptoms, people suffering HPV have, in the past, generally been forced to resign themselves to the fate of being an HPV sufferer.

With the new vaccine, this doesn’t have to happen, and there is no reason that it should.

Spreading the Word

If you would like to do your part to spread the word on the HPV vaccine, well, it’s as simple as that: Just spread the word. Many people don’t know of the vaccine yet, and you just might save a life by telling anyone you know who is becoming sexually active. For parents, when you have “The Talk” with your kids, make sure they understand the danger of venereal disease and how to protect themselves.

The importance of proper sexual education transcends personal beliefs, it is, without a doubt, not so much of a matter of personal values as a matter of life or death in many cases. With the risk associated with sex these days, we simply cannot afford to be ignorant of STDs and their preventive measures. Contrary to the misconception of some, STDs don’t only infect promiscuous people: Nobody is impervious, and everyone is at risk.

The best way to guard yourself against HPV, HIV, and other STDs, is to read up on HPV info, get all the genital warts information available, to stay on top of new developments, and to always, always practice safe sex. Ask your doctor about the vaccine, ask about other STDs, and arm yourself with information and education, because in the end, that’s all we really have in the fight against sexually transmitted diseases.

It should be noted that the HPV vaccine is not recommended for pregnant women. Talk to your doctor about your eligibility before requesting an HPV vaccination for yourself or any minors in your guardianship.