What is HPV?
The human papillomavirus is the world's most prevalent sexually transmitted infection. If you're sexually active, chances are very high you have been exposed to it. Most people clear the virus naturally, but of the 150 types of HPV, about 40 can linger in the body and cause cancer — primarily cervical cancer, certain head and neck cancers, and more rare kinds such as penile or anal.How does the vaccine work? Trials have shown that the vaccine provides nearly 100-per-cent protection against four specific strains of HPV, which are linked to 70 per cent of cervical cancers and 90 per cent of genital warts. According to the trials, the vaccine, sold under the brand name Gardasil, was effective for at least five years, though how long its protection will last remains uncertain. It is given by needle in three doses over six months. It has been approved by Health Canada for girls between the ages of 9 and 26. It costs about $400 for all three doses, and, outside of the school vaccinations, is not covered by provincial health insurance, and only some private insurance plans.
How dire is cervical cancer?
In 2006, there were roughly 1,350 new cases of cervical cancer, and 390 women died from the disease. That's a fraction of the women who die of lung, breast or ovarian cancer every year. But this type of cancer develops slowly, often strikes women in their 20s, and can cause infertility. Pap tests are used to detect early signs of the disease.
Do women who get vaccinated still need a pap test?
Yes. As many as 35 per cent of women don't get the annual test, and they account for the majority of cervical cancer cases. It will take several decades to determine how well the vaccine works, and in the meantime vaccinated women are still at risk of infection from other strains of HPV
Why give the vaccine to young girls?
Once a woman has been exposed to the four strains of HPV for which it provides protection, the vaccine doesn't work. So it is most effective if given before the patient becomes sexually active.
Why do it through schools?
In March, the federal government created a $300-million program to be shared by provinces that agreed to add HPV to their free school-based vaccination programs. School vaccinations are seen as an easy way to cover off the preteen population. In Ontario, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, parents must give written consent to have their daughters receive the needle.
Why is it controversial?
Critics have accused the government of moving too quickly through the approval stages, suggesting the motivations were political, designed to win women's votes for the Tories. Ottawa's announcement came even before the Canadian Immunization Committee had reported back on whether the vaccine should be publicly funded. Parents have raised concerns about side effects (which, the trials show, are rare, less than from many other vaccines). It's been pointed out that the trials were conducted on women between the ages of 16 and 23, not the younger age group now receiving the vaccine at schools. Marketing for the vaccine has been massive, including television commercials and Internet ads.
