Has Anyone read this? - Cancer Vaccine...

MyLuvBugs wrote: STD/Cancer Vaccine Article

Would you allow your teen or pre-teen to get this shot?

And Are you yourself planning on getting this shot?

I'm just curious. I'm not trying to start a debate on the issue, just wanting to see everyones thoughts about it.

redchief replied: Heheh... Doesn't asking questions like that invite debate?

I think it's absolutely a worthwile topic for debate though. While I'm certainly not going to tell my girls they must get the vaccine, I'm going to recommend that they consider it, research it, and weigh the pros and cons. I'll support whatever decision they make. Cervical cancer cuts short way too many lives and ruins the hopes and expectations of many other young women who wanted a family.

gr33n3y3z replied: Erin will be getting that shot I think on the 10th when she goes back to the obgyn

Anyone who had a scare with that would prolly agree its well worth it

gr33n3y3z replied: I forgot about Katie and I will allow her to get it also
I didnt realize her age also counted

MyLuvBugs replied:
I don't think so. Maybe I'm just being niave that we can all just share our thoughts, and not insight caos. lol Oh well!

Personally, I feel this is a wonderful step in medicine. Albiet a little scary too, but only b/c it's sooooo new. KWIM? I personally don't think I'll get it, but only b/c I've never had a bad pap come back (knock on wood ), and I don't plan on sleeping with anyone else but my hubby anytime soon.

As for Lorelei (when she hits teens).....I think that will be up to her to decide. She's got plenty of time to think about it though. LOL

redchief replied:
Erika, I think we may differ on the definition of debate. To me, debate isn't chaotic, nor does it require disrespect for a person with a different opinion. To me debate is a mature, respectful discussion in which different arguments surrounding an issue are brought forward for subjective comment.

I think the main issue here is whether it is morally right to get a vaccine against a virus that is sexually transmitted. Another issue is whether such a vaccine would be seen by the young as a free pass to promiscuous sexual activity.

I don't think so in either case. The viruses in question are extremely common and highly damaging, and infection can be prevented by a vaccine. That's enough for me.

As far as teens attitudes toward sex go, they will be formed based upon upbringing and the choices that are made as the teens mature. I don't really think the vaccination will have much bearing on their decisions, knowing teenagers as I do.

gr33n3y3z replied:
The only person I ever had relations with was Ed
And all my paps came back fine also but the Dr spotted a leason right on the cervix this was just a few months ago.
I had to get the freeze done and what not
So I dont beleave its all about ppl. sharing or who you have relations with its the fact that you are having or had relations in the first place.

MyLuvBugs replied: You're probably right,but the media (like always ) is putting the idea out there that the only way to get it is from an STD. Gotta love the media!

I don't know I guess..... maybe I'll just wait for awhile longer to see if there's side affects before truly considering getting it.

Maddie&EthansMom replied: It would take a lot of research for me to consider it. I wouldn't do it right now, no.

Mommy2Isabella replied: WOW! That is crazy! If I weren't pregnant, I would probably get it. For the reason that I am at a higher risk of cervical cancer because of my PCOS, and Amenorea< absence of my period. I have never had my period, so I am at high risk. Thats neat though!! Im not sure if I would let Isabella get it until she has started her period or atleast gone in for her first woman appointment, which when is that supposed to be anyways? I had a woman appt. at 16 but that was because I wasn't having a period and my mom was a little concerned and I didn't become sexually active until 18. ... HUMM ...

3_call_me_mama replied: No I won't be getting it and won't be recommending it to my daughter or daughters if there should be more than one As most of you know we VERY selectively vacinate and although a lot of female cancers have run their course through our family, it is not something I'm going to venture into. Quite honestly I;m not convinced these things can save lives and am not up for gambling with other problems.

jcc64 replied:


Very well said, Ed. Ita.

Frankly, I find it pretty incredible that someone would prefer that their dd forego certain protection from a horrendous and potentially fatal disease rather than risk the possibility of premarital sex. Talk about being a slave to your dogma.
I absolutely would encourage my dd to get the vaccine, just like any other vaccines- with all the relevant info, and a thorough investigation of possible side effects.

MyLuvBugs replied:
I really hope that one of these days Ed, you'll learn to understand my strange sense of humor.

redchief replied:
Generation gap?

C&K*s Mommie replied: Being that the girls have a number of years before the earliest point before it is reccommended, by then I would like to have research on it, and make an informed decision then. If they were of age, now, then no I would not encourage them to do it. It to me is far to early to jump in feet first without seeing the long term effects it may pose on women. It may be good in the end, but I would be cautious about it at this time.

ETA: OTC medications I have a hard enough time putting into my own body. Let alone the girls body, but I have in the past given them OTC meds. So this would definately give me reason for pause.

Boo&BugsMom replied: From my understanding, the shot will only protect so many strains of it, just like any other vaccine (the flu for example). Also, it is an STD that the shot vaccinates from and can only be sexually transmitted...as my OBGYN told me as well. In the commercials around here, they make it out to seem like you can catch it like the flu, which is not the case. I have had friends who have been married with normal paps for years who were considering it, until they were given all the correct information. Some people are also thinking cervical cancer can only be caused by this STD. I think the media needs to get their act together and inform correctly, in my opinion.

That said, as with anything, years down the road they will find kinks. I do not want to be anyone's guinea pig, not do I want my daughter (if I had one) to be a guinea pig either. I am always leary when new things come out, because after later research, there are always more findings that were not caught earlier on.

If I had a daughter I would probably let her decide when she is old enough.

lisar replied: My 2 girls will most likley be getting this shot. Only because all women in my family end up getting a full historectomy before the age of 30. I have had pre-cancer cells and I have had to have them removed twice. This is between my kids. Me and my Dr have agreed that if they come back now that I have had my second child that he will just go ahead and do a hysterectomy on me. (sorry about the spelling)

Lisa

~Roo'sMama~ replied: The way they market it seems a bit misleading to me. The vaccine is for HPV, which causes cervical cancer, but it doesn't protect you from getting the cancer altogether, right? They said that it's the main cause of cervical cancer but it's not the only cause if I understand it right. I won't be getting the shot ~ the only person I have ever had sex with is my husband and I don't ever intent to change that so I'm not likely to get an std, kwim?

boyohboyohboy replied: I also just heard that next yr they will be offering a similiar shot to boys....