<p>I know the “horse has been out of the barn” since my son was about 17 (that’s when I became aware…) He is heterosexual (for sure!) and I figure he’s been exposed already. My understanding is that the vaccine was primarily intended for girls before they are sexually active. Once they are active already I wonder if the possible benefits outweigh any risks of getting the vaccine. Can someone give me a quick lesson on the side effects or risks? S2 is 22, I think it is likely too late for him for sure.</p>
<p>Hunt wrote “” </p>
<p>My wife is also a cancer researcher, and our son and daughter have both been vaccinated. We fully understand that the protection has limits, but it’s still worth it.“”</p>
<p>It might be very helpful if Mrs. Hunt might enlighten this forum about the relation between HPV and cancer. Actually, it is not that hard to educate oneself as about EVERY research paper on the issue starts with the necessary background on the presence of HPV in cervical and ano-genital cancer and the related CAUSE. For instance, a smoking patient who develops throat cancer might be diagnosed with the symptoms without determining the cause.</p>
<p>I might posted this before but there is a very good source of information at hpvtoday.com. You might also learn a lot by googling Xavier Bosch or N.Wentsensen or Schiffman for a US source. </p>
<p>Otherwise, the sales brochures for Gardasil and Cervarix are simply not trustworthy. Unless one reads the full research reports that allows one to understand the impact of selective samples and exclusion. Some might be amazed by the results for Gardasil for … Boys in eradicating possible cancer sources. Hint? Not what people have been told!</p>
<p>For a quick overview:
<a href=“http://www.cancerscreening.gov.au/internet/screening/publishing.nsf/Content/cv-hpv/$File/hpv.pdf”>http://www.cancerscreening.gov.au/internet/screening/publishing.nsf/Content/cv-hpv/$File/hpv.pdf</a></p>
<p>18yo S got the last shot in the series when he was home on spring break. As best I can tell he has not been sexually active so he was a prime candidate for the vaccine.</p>
<p>Here’s more information:
[HPV</a> and Cancer - National Cancer Institute](<a href=“http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Risk/HPV]HPV”>http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Risk/HPV)
[Human</a> Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccines - National Cancer Institute](<a href=“http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Prevention/HPV-vaccine]Human”>http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Prevention/HPV-vaccine)</p>
<p>xiggi, if you are trying to suggest that people shouldn’t be vaccinated–and I can’t really tell from your elliptical phrasing whether you are or not–I suggest that you try to be a little more explicit about what you’re saying.</p>
<p>HPV invades certain types of epithelial cells. Theses cells exist on the cervix, the anus, the throat and the skin between the anus and vagina ( or *****) in men. Oral sex can spread the virus which is why “virgins” can get HPV if they are having oral sex. Also, many kids do not believe that anal sex is sex. They think they are virgins even after doing that and in some cultures here in the US, kids will have anal sex to preserve their virginity.</p>
<p>The vaccine Gardasil covers 4 types of the virus that are responsible for the majority of Cervical cancers and genital warts. The other vaccine covers two types of HPV, both of which can cause cancer, but has no genital wart coverage. There are other vaccines under investigation that cover more subtypes of the virus, but the important thing is to vaccinate before your kid becomes infected.</p>
<p>Also, the HPV virus is really small (smaller than HIV), so condoms don’t provide full protection because the virus can get through.</p>
<p>It is for these reasons that they want to vaccinate kids before " sexual debut" as so many types of intimate contact can spread the virus.</p>
<p>Let’s take cancer prevention off the table for just a moment. How about we just prevent genital warts?</p>
<p>Right after college I lived with a very close friend who had remained a virgin until she met “the one.” He, too, was a virgin and shared her religion, which is not a common one in our region of the country. A couple of years into their relationship, she learned that he had been cheating on her when she came down with HPV genital warts-he confessed he had them when she confronted him.</p>
<p>My friend had to go through very painful laser treatments to remove the warts from her vulva, vagina, and cervix. These warts are often very difficult to eradicate, and I will never forget her sinking to the floor in our kitchen sobbing, after she discovered more of them after her treatments.</p>
<p>If this vaccine had been available to her and her boyfriend, she would have been spared this horrible ordeal. That, if nothing else, convinced me to have both of my daughters vaccinated as soon as I learned it was available.</p>
<p>hmmm, My kid was vaccinated when she was 12. I clearly rememeber the doctor mentioning it does not protect against warts. Is that possible? I know it was Gardasil.</p>
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<p>Perhaps he said it is not 100% coverage.</p>
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<p>FWIW, our insurance company does not cover these vaccines in young men/boys, at least when I contacted them about this. I checked with my insurance company last fall.</p>
<p>Frankly, I don’t understand why these vaccines are not covered for males, or for females over age 26 who test HPV negative. In fact, I find it interesting that our insurance covers not one, but two wellcare preventative GYN visits per year in addition to one regular exam done by a primary healthcare provider without any copays, yet they will not cover males for Guardasil, or females over age 26 for Guardasil (HPV status does not matter).</p>
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<p>I don’t either. After dealing with our insurance company ad nauseum this year, I don’t understand most of their logic.</p>
<p>I know plans can be different depending on specifics, but United Health Care paid for my 18yo S to be vaccinated.</p>
<p>xiggi, if you think you can evaluate scientific papers better than my husband fine, but I’m going along with his recommendations.</p>
<p>mamom, thanks for this info. Was this recent that your son was covered? Last fall was the last time I checked with my insurance company. We have a different health care company, but my son uses United Healthcare when he is OOS at college (same coverage as we have otherwise).</p>
<p>Northeastmom - My S got his shots starting last year in June and finishing up in March of this year. Not sure why he didn’t get that third shot in Dec, maybe they were out.</p>
<p>Okay, I know that our insurance was not covering these shots last fall, so I doubt they have a new policy. Still, it will be worth a call.</p>
<p>If someone does test positive for HPV, how bad is it? My niece is freaking out that a friend tested positive. I told her almost everyone who is my age is positive for HPV (that’s true, isn’t it?) but we’re not dropping dead in droves.</p>
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<p>My understanding is that it just depends on which strain of HPV a person has contracted. Certain strains are more likely to cause cancers than others. As to cervical cancer, regular pap smears are a must. If you catch it early, cervical cancer is almost always curable because it is so slow growing. Anal cancer is a risk whether or not anal sex is an issue because genital HPV infections can spread to that area rather easily. People who are infected must stay on top of things as it relates to check ups and screenings, but as stated above, people are not at present dropping dead of these cancers at high rates.</p>
<p>As to these new throat cancers popping up, that’s a concern as I don’t know what kind of early screening tools- if any- are available. As the throat cancers are a result of oral sex, it certainly does give one pause about that particular sexual activity. I think many people think of oral sex as “not really sex” and relatively safe, but that isn’t and hasn’t been true for a long time.</p>
<p>My niece, the Drama Queen, is panicking that her friend will drop dead of cancer tomorrow. But I think the real story is merely that the friend had a positive HPV test. Which, in itself, I don’t think is particularly worrying.</p>
<p>Cardinal - The single most important thing that young lady can do is to get regular Pap smears.
My gynecologist and I were shocked - shocked I tell you - when my own test for HPV came back negative last year.
Also, my MD suggested that the real result from the HPV vaccine will be a lower incidence of false postives Paps and a reduced need for biopsies.
Ask your gyn how many of the umpteen hundreds/thousands of patient in his/her practice were ever actually diagnosed with cervical cancer. Then ask how many of the those received regular medical care, ie routine Pap smears. The answer will surprise you.</p>
<p>My son needed a TB test for his college health form. He got it last week. He came home from the clinic saying he also got the HPV vaccine and the meningitis prevention shot. I’m so glad they were on top of it since it was not on my radar. He’s 18 so permission wasn’t an issue.</p>
<p>He had had the meningitis shot 4 years ago and I didn’t realize that he needed another. That’s a big one to be on top of for college.</p>