Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a hot topic these days thanks to the advent — and attendant controversy — of Gardasil, the vaccine that protects against four strains of this sexually transmitted virus. Discourse centers around HPV-16 and HPV-18, the two HPV strains that together are responsible for 70 percent of cervical cancers and 90 percent of anal cancers. However, Gardasil also protects against HPV-6 and HPV-11, two HPV strains that aren’t associated with cancer but rather with 90 percent of genital warts. While genital warts don’t have the potential to cause cancer and death, they can be very upsetting to the people who develop them.
READ MORE: http://blog.advocatesaz.org/2012/04/18/sti-awareness-genital-warts/
No Increase in Autoimmune Conditions From Use of HPV Vaccine
In a large population of young women aged 9 to 26 years who received quadrivalent human papillomavirus vaccine (HPV4), researchers found no increase in new-onset autoimmune conditions. This observational safety study showed no cluster of disease onset according to vaccination timing, dose sequence, or patient age for the 16 prespecified autoimmune conditions examined, researchers reported in an article published in the February 2012 issue of the Journal of Internal Medicine.
A further strength of the study is that it was conducted using a large, ethnically and sociodemographically diverse population receiving routine care, making it likely that the findings apply to the usual groups of young women receiving HPV4. The authors said these safety results provide “important complementary knowledge” to data from clinical trials and from the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System
William Schaffner, MD, chair of the Department of Preventive Medicine at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in Nashville, Tennessee, and president of the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases, commented to Medscape Medical News that he is impressed with the study, which he said is “very well designed and executed…nicely written up, [and] very comprehensive” in its survey of a wide variety of immune disorders. In this era of vaccine skeptics, and even deniers, and in which “HPV has even entered the political discourse,” he said, “I think it’s very important that this sort of message be transmitted as widely as possible.”
No Increase in Autoimmune Conditions From Use of HPV Vaccine
In a large population of young women aged 9 to 26 years who received quadrivalent human papillomavirus vaccine (HPV4), researchers found no increase in new-onset autoimmune conditions. This observational safety study showed no cluster of disease onset according to vaccination timing, dose sequence, or patient age for the 16 prespecified autoimmune conditions examined, researchers reported in an article published in the February 2012 issue of the Journal of Internal Medicine.
A further strength of the study is that it was conducted using a large, ethnically and sociodemographically diverse population receiving routine care, making it likely that the findings apply to the usual groups of young women receiving HPV4. The authors said these safety results provide “important complementary knowledge” to data from clinical trials and from the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System
William Schaffner, MD, chair of the Department of Preventive Medicine at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in Nashville, Tennessee, and president of the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases, commented to Medscape Medical News that he is impressed with the study, which he said is “very well designed and executed…nicely written up, [and] very comprehensive” in its survey of a wide variety of immune disorders. In this era of vaccine skeptics, and even deniers, and in which “HPV has even entered the political discourse,” he said, “I think it’s very important that this sort of message be transmitted as widely as possible.”
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Gardasil May Protect Against Anal Cancer
Joe.My.God. reports:
In a small study involving HIV-negative gay men, the HPV vaccine Gardasil was shown to reduce the risk of anal cancer.
The vaccine reduced the risk of lesion recurrence by approximately 50% in the first two years after immunisation. There was some evidence that the protective effects of the vaccine waned after this point. “This is the first study to demonstrate an association between Gardasil after primary disease and decreased risk of recurrent HGAIN [high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia],” comment the investigators, who believe the vaccine may be “an effective post-treatment adjuvant to prevent recurrent HGAIN.” High-risk strains of human papilloma virus are the main cause of anal and cervical cancer. The quadrivalent human papilloma virus vaccine (Gardasil) is highly effective at preventing infection with these strains. Rates of anal cancer are elevated in gay and other men who have sex with men.
As I overshared on Facebook at the time, last month my new doctor surprised me with an anal pap smear, something his practice does routinely for all gay men over 40. My result was thankfully negative, but I mention it here to reinforce how simple and brief the procedure is. Ask for it, regardless of your age.](http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lyzdnpO6it1qcb881o1_500.jpg)
Gardasil May Protect Against Anal Cancer
Joe.My.God. reports:
In a small study involving HIV-negative gay men, the HPV vaccine Gardasil was shown to reduce the risk of anal cancer.
The vaccine reduced the risk of lesion recurrence by approximately 50% in the first two years after immunisation. There was some evidence that the protective effects of the vaccine waned after this point. “This is the first study to demonstrate an association between Gardasil after primary disease and decreased risk of recurrent HGAIN [high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia],” comment the investigators, who believe the vaccine may be “an effective post-treatment adjuvant to prevent recurrent HGAIN.” High-risk strains of human papilloma virus are the main cause of anal and cervical cancer. The quadrivalent human papilloma virus vaccine (Gardasil) is highly effective at preventing infection with these strains. Rates of anal cancer are elevated in gay and other men who have sex with men.As I overshared on Facebook at the time, last month my new doctor surprised me with an anal pap smear, something his practice does routinely for all gay men over 40. My result was thankfully negative, but I mention it here to reinforce how simple and brief the procedure is. Ask for it, regardless of your age.
50% of Men Can be Carriers of HPV
Screening & Awareness is a Must!
HPV Infection Rates In Men - Human Papillomavirus (HPV) (by RoboticOncology)
