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The new vaccine against the Human Papillomavirus (HPV), that guards against cervical cancer, has been a topic of debate between medical professionals and certain conservative groups since its release in 2006. The latest objection to this life-saving drug was revealed in a US study that found only half of American mothers intend to have their teenage daughters vaccinated against HPV.

Recently released in South Africa
The HPV vaccine (which has been available in the US since 2006) was approved in South Africa earlier this year and has received a positive response by South Africans, according to Mr Elvis Mokoena from GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) South Africa – a manufacturer of one of the two brands of the newly released HPV vaccine. "The response confirms our views that cervical cancer is a significant problem to many South Africans," he said.

Cervical cancer is the main cancer affecting South African women. "One in every 31 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer in her lifetime and it kills over 3 400 women in South Africa each year," says Martha Molete from the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA).

In over 80 percent of cases, cervical cancer is caused by HPV, which is a very common sexually transmitted infection. It is estimated that between 60 and 80 percent of all sexually active individuals may be infected.

Therefore the HPV vaccine is targeted at young girls from the age of 10 years and up, as most girls of this age are not sexually active, have not yet been exposed to HPV, and will therefore achieve maximum protection.

Some objection to vaccine
A recent study by the Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Centre in the US found that some mothers believe the vaccination would cause a child to engage in riskier sexual behaviour because of the protection it offers.

Local experts discredit this comment saying that risky sexual behaviour among teenagers already exists. "It (risky sexual behaviour) is something young people will participate in, with or without the protection of the vaccine," remarked Rosalyne Jacobs from CANSA. "If I could prevent my daughter from getting cancer, why wouldn't I?" she argues.

Dr Haynes van der Merwe from the Tygerberg Hospital's Gynaecology Department feels that such an argument is an emotional response that holds no weight. In fact, he believes it is a parent's responsibility to ensure that his/her daughter is protected against this potential killer disease.

Well-received in South Africa
Dr Carol Thomas, a gynaecologist from Claremont who is also associated with the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the Groote Schuur Hospital believes that this life-saving vaccine is generally well-received. "I think that is because the culture of vaccination is extremely well developed in South Africa," says Thomas.

"Except for a minority of non-mainstream, but remarkably visible and vocal groups and individuals, the general consensus worldwide is that HPV vaccines herald a new era and a phenomenal advance in the fight against cervical cancer…" Thomas reported in the South African Medical Journal.

Furthermore she argues that South Africa's high prevalence of HIV/Aids has made parents more aware of the danger of sexually transmitted diseases "making parents in favour of anything that may protect their children against the onslaught of any virus."

Makoena from GSK confirmed that this pharmaceutical manufacturer has not received any objections or complaints about their product and they are in fact "pleased with the healthcare professionals and public response."

Not everyone has access
CANSA has expressed their belief that the HPV vaccine should be made compulsory to all girls in South Africa.

At present, however, it is only available in the private sector and the course of three injections comes at a price of just over R2 000 – making it unaffordable for most low-income households in South Africa.

Until present, government has not expressed any intention of providing this vaccine to the public health sector.

Cervical cancer - a background
Cervical cancer is a common disease in the developing world. Pap smears are currently the recommended method of screening, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).

Although it is a preventable disease that is curable if detected and treated in its early stages, it remains the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in South African women, according to the Medical Research Council.

Factors that increase a woman's risk for developing cervical cancer include early sexual activity, multiple sexual partners and smoking.

(Wilma van Zuydam, Health24, May 2008)

Sources:
-HealthDay News
-South African Medical Journal, April 2008, Vol. 98

Read more:
HPV Centre
Cervical Cancer Centre
 

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	Will promote promiscuity???? 5/13/2008 11:04:18 AM Can't see the logic in the argument that having the vacine will promote promiscuity -I regret that that can of worm was opened long ago by the Laws for abortion and the fact that no parental consent is needed even for girls as young as 13. Not too sure how much more promiscuous our nation can get... - Sarah   Promiscuity 5/13/2008 11:37:25 AM I think the logic, if you can call it that, is that teens will become sexually active, because the risk of HPV has been lowered by the vaccination. I don't agree. When teens decide to have sex, the risk of cervical cancer does not feature on their list of considerations. - richard   Moron yanks 5/13/2008 11:41:57 AM Good grief you don't even have to tell your child what the innoculation is for take your daughter for a "flu" shot and save her life - cameron   Flawed argument 5/13/2008 11:55:23 AM HPV doesn't have the high profile of AIDS and unwanted pregnancies. If fear of those doesn't stop teens having sex, then taking away the danger of contracting HPV will make no difference to their behaviour. I contracted HPV from the only man I have ever had sex with, my husband. He got it from his first wife and was unaware that he had it. I will inoculate my daughter as soon as she is old enough. - Meraai   Please read 5/13/2008 12:51:45 PM Very good article - Tamaryn   On News 24 5/13/2008 1:07:45 PM very interesting. - Mrs Pye   Promiscuity?? 5/13/2008 1:31:14 PM Some of our daughters/nieces etc are promiscuos, and that it scary. This vaccination is for their own protection against possible cancer and does not act as an aphrodisiac, people! - linda oneilwe   Intelligence 5/13/2008 1:36:27 PM Wow, to think some of the people arguing against the HPV Vaccine are educated intelligent people. People worldwide still don't use conodms properly to avoid the contraction of STD's, letalone HIV. I have a history of cervical cancer in my family and if there's any way I can avoid my children contracting it, then I would do it for sure. People die daily from HIV and promiscuity is still a worldwide issue, having a vaccine that could potentially save a life, I support it 100% - Anon   head in the sand 5/13/2008 1:45:10 PM how about we destroy the vaccine? that way no one will ever have sex ever again! right? i suspect there may be a fault in my theory... no sure what though. - dumbass   Prevention would help 5/13/2008 2:20:39 PM The fact that you can take a child for a vaccine at the age of 10 makes it easy for her not to know what it's for. If there was prove that all people who have cancer got it because they were promiscuous I'd understand the logic behind depriving your child this vaccine. You can have 1 partner in your life and still get cancer. - Kagiso   HPV vaccine 5/13/2008 2:32:48 PM It is so typical of some people to make a scientific intervention a moral dilemma. Everyone agrees to vaccinate against diseases like polio, but because the HPV vaccine prevents a STD it is suddenly an issue. When will people grow up and realise when it comes to sex people will do what they want, regardless of any safety measures in place. Rather worry about the example you set and how you raise your daughter, that will determine her attitude towards sex, and if she will be promiscuous. - Michelle   HPV vaccine has no long term trials yet 5/13/2008 3:10:19 PM The vaccine has not yet been around long enough to know whether there are any detrimental effects, and many of you want to give this to a girl who has perhaps not even reached puberty! What if a few years down the line there are side effects/problems which interfere with her development. This is one of the reasons that many American moms are refusing to have their girls innoculated, even where they are not not concerned about the moral issues. - Margaret
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