New Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) Vaccine

Gardasil is the new vaccine against the human papilloma virus or HPV which causes cervical cancer and genital warts. HPV and Gardasil continue to be in the news and advertised on TV and in magazines.

Most of the controversy surrounding this new vaccine involves whether or not young girls and women should have the vaccine. This article provides some basic facts about HPV and the HPV vaccine. You should discuss the vaccine with your pediatrician or family physician. If you have a daughter, you may also want to talk to her about this vaccine.

Cervical Cancer

Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in women worldwide. The American Cancer Society estimated that there are about 11,000 new cases of cervical cancer diagnosed in the US in 2007. According to the World Health Organization, nearly 80 percent of cervical cancer cases occur in low-income countries.

HPV

HPV is a key factor in cervical cancer. There are more than 100 types of human papilloma virus or HPV but less than 20 types can lead to cervical cancer and other types of genital cancers.

Most sexually active men and women will have HPV, and most will never know they have it. Usually, HPV does not cause any symptoms or disease. Often the first indication that there is a problem is following a Pap test. That is why annual Pap tests are so important in what may start as a symptomless infection. If your Pap test indicates some abnormal cells, or the results are unclear, your physician will usually order another test to check for HPV.

Prevention

There is only one way to eliminate any HPV transmission – avoid sexual contact with another person. Using a condom does not guarantee you will not become infected. You do reduce risk if you are married or in a mutually monogamous relationship with an uninfected person. But keep in mind that many people don’t know they are infected because there may be no symptoms.

In 2006, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Gardasil as a vaccine for HPV in women aged 9 to 26. The vaccine protects against several high-risk types of HPV virus which can cause cervical cancer.

If you should decide the HPV vaccine is right for you or your daughter, your Service Benefit Plan coverage will pay for it. Please refer to Section 5(a) in the 2008 Service Benefit Plan brochure for more information.

Written by Paula Spurway, Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Resources include: Blue Health Connection, cervical cancer; www.webmd.com, HPV and Cervical Cancer; 2008 Service Benefit Plan brochure.