cervical cancer

[matagi]

Boys can't get cervical cancer, so the immediate cost benefit is not there, even though males can be asymptomatic carriers of HPV. I believe there are trials currently underway assessing the vaccine in boys, because males can get anal cancers from HPV. FWIW, the guy that developed the vaccine has had both his sons vaccinated against HPV. In Australia the vaccine has been made available to females aged 12-26 free of charge. Boys can also receive the vaccine but you need to pay for it.

I guess it is analogous to rubella vaccine - in Australia, girls were the first to be vaccinated because of the consequences of rubella in pregnant women. The vaccine has subsequently been made available to everyone and is now part of our routine childhood immunisation program, which means both boys and girls receive the vaccine.

What is the situation in the US if this vaccine becomes mandatory? Are you expected to pay for it, or do you get it free of charge?

[HillSlugger]

What is the situation in the US if this vaccine becomes mandatory? Are you expected to pay for it, or do you get it free of charge?

There are many immunizations that are mandatory. For the majority, we are expected to have it covered by medical insurance. They are free through special programs to only those you can't otherwise cover the cost

[Pika]

I read this thread with great interest- it seems like ages ago now..
today my sister is off to surgery in vancouver for ovarian cancer
I don't know if there is a link but she did have HPV.
The whole thing is very scarey- until 3 weeks ago I was running with her weekly- she seemed in good health - although she was complaining more of abdominal cramping and pain after she ate.
I find it shocking how quickly one's health can deteriorate.
Today when she left, she looked like the living dead God: it is awful!
We won't know too much until after the surgery- ie whether it has metastasized and to what extent- hmmmm I am sick with worry and regret- I wished i had spoken up when she looked worn out, I wished I had pushed her more to see another Dr when she first complained of odd abdominal pain 10 yrs ago...I just feel sad about the whole thing.

[crazycanuck]

(((((((PIKA)))))))))

Don't feel like it's your fault Pika-Even if you had said something, she may not have heeded your advice. You're not a bad person.

Sending good thoughts your way. Please keep us updated on your sister.

Take care

c

[Grog]

{{{Pika}}}

Don't worry too much okay, that's not going to help her anyway. Focus on recovery.

Good luck.

[Wahine]

(((((((Pika))))))))

I'm so sorry you're going through this. I know that this is very difficult for you. CC is right, it's not your fault and you need to try to let go of the guilt. Not easy. I'll be saying blessings for you and your sister in my meditations.

Take care.

[Running Mommy]

OMG OMG OMG!!!! Ok, this is scary!! I so hope that she is ok. But on a selfish note what you posted is beyond scary to me. You see when I was IM training I had some bad cramping and a bit of bleeding. I've had cervical cancer so I went to the doc. The pap came up ok, but she said I had an ovary that "didn't look quite right" and she wanted me to have some tests on it at an OB who specializes in such stuff. Well I've put it off for two months now.
But after what I just read, I will be calling the doctor MONDAY!!!
OH man!!! I sure hope she is ok! I'll be doing the Subaru womens tri in Oct. that benefits ovarian cancer research, so I would love to run it for her!
Give her my best! I'll be praying for the entire Pika family!!
Denise

[Triskeliongirl]

Boys can't get cervical cancer, so the immediate cost benefit is not there, even though males can be asymptomatic carriers of HPV.

Actually, I learned recently from a virologist colleague that indeed gay men can get anal cancer from HPV, yet the vaccine has never been tested in men and is not available to men. While a women can live without a cervix and man cannot live without an anus, so this appears to be real discrimination.

[DrBadger]

Actually, I learned recently from a virologist colleague that indeed gay men can get anal cancer from HPV, yet the vaccine has never been tested in men and is not available to men. While a women can live without a cervix and man cannot live without an anus, so this appears to be real discrimination.

it is true the HPV can cause cancer in men, it is just much more rare than cervical cancer in women. However, Merk is currently in the process of doing clinical trials of the vaccine on men (in addition to the trials on women > 26 yrs old, and who have already been exposed to HPV), so it is very likely that in the future men would be inocculated also.

PABadger...who has now completed her 3-shot HPV series!!!

[Laterider21958]

Has anybody considered another way this virus could be contracted? We all go to the Dr. for pap smears at some time or another, and many of us have given birth (often assisted, not entirely natural), but has anyone ever asked whether the equipment used at such times has been sterilised effectively or at all? I'm sure that the task would be relegated to an administrative assistant in the Dr.'s Clinic. Everybody has bad days where we aren't on top of everything and forget stuff. We all just assume that the "right" thing has been done. Perhaps we need to enquire about this before allowing medical instruments to be inserted. Just a thought.

[Jolt]

Has anybody considered another way this virus could be contracted? We all go to the Dr. for pap smears at some time or another, and many of us have given birth (often assisted, not entirely natural), but has anyone ever asked whether the equipment used at such times has been sterilised effectively or at all? I'm sure that the task would be relegated to an administrative assistant in the Dr.'s Clinic. Everybody has bad days where we aren't on top of everything and forget stuff. We all just assume that the "right" thing has been done. Perhaps we need to enquire about this before allowing medical instruments to be inserted. Just a thought.

YUCK!!!, but that's a good point. Instruments that have been used on someone with the virus and not properly sterilized could very likely pass it on (not sure how long it can live outside the body though--anyone?)

[Dianyla]

PABadger...who has now completed her 3-shot HPV series!!!

Yo, thanks for the reminder! I just scheduled my annual OB/GYN appointment and will be requesting the HPV vaccine series at that time.

[Kitsune06]

I will as soon as I have medical ins. ... not quite looking fwd to it tho. I hear they hurt.

[Dianyla]

... not quite looking fwd to it tho. I hear they hurt.

Heard that which hurts? A pelvic/pap, or the vaccine?

[Kitsune06]

The vaccine, though come to think of it, I haven't seen a gyno for ..uh... entirely too long.