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Dr. Chadwick, recent news reports and TV ads are talking about a new vaccine that protects women against cervical cancer. What are they talking about?

The recent FDA approval of the Gardasil vaccine is one of the most exciting things to have emerged recently in Women’s Healthcare. The vaccine targets a type of virus called HPV or Human Papilloma Virus. There are many types of HPV virus, most of them having little if no effect on humans. However, types 16 and 18 are very strongly associated with the development of cervical cancer while types 6 and 11 are associated with the development of genital warts. By immunizing a woman against these strains before she is first exposed to the virus, the disease is generally prevented.

This vaccine is the first that has been developed that can actually protect women against the development of a specific cancer. This is a huge advance in the care of women. The vaccine is given as three injections. It is currently recommended that all women up to the age of 21 receive the vaccine.

As with any advance, the development of the Gardasil vaccine does come with some controversy. Studies have shown that the vaccine is most protective when it is given prior to the onset of sexual activity. Due to the range of ages at which such activity starts in the US, it is recommended that the vaccine be given between the ages of 9 and 12 if possible. This has generated some debate as to how to explain to our daughters that we’re giving them something that will protect them when they’re older and not giving permission to start early sexual activity. I anticipate that medical and faith based organizations will come to some agreement on how to best handle this issues while still protecting our daughters from a horrible disease. For more information readers should discuss the vaccine with their doctor.