The HPV Vaccine Controversy: Sex, Cancer, God, and Politics: A Guide for Parents, Women, Men, and Teenagers

by Shobha S. Krishnan

The Human Papilloma Virus, so-called HPV, is one of the most widespread sexually transmitted diseases in America, with more than 20 million infected now and more than 6 million new cases detected each year. It is estimated that at least 50 percent of all sexually active people will be infected during their lifetimes. And while the silent disease may cause no symptoms in most cases, two strains of HPV cause some 70 percent of all cervical cancer, which strikes more than 10,000 women in the United States alone each year. So it is with great fanfare than an HPV vaccine, tested around the world and approved by the US government in 2006, is being marketed. But controversy surrounds the vaccine, which is being recommended for girls as young as 9 and may be mandated by state governments. In this timely book, Shobha Krishnan, M.D., of Barnard College, Columbia University - a longtime gynecologist and family physician, and mother of a young daughter - explains in layterms both the disease and vaccine to parents, youths, men and women. She also addresses the controversy, legislative aims to require the vaccine, and another vaccine to hit the market this year. Krishnan also raises the issue of whether boys should get the vaccine. Coverage across the book is comprehensive and addresses both the pros and cons of anyone being innoculated.

248 pages, Hardcover

First published August 1, 2008

Reviews

[Sheila55 · Rating 4 out of 5]

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[Brick ONeil · Rating 5 out of 5]

In The HPV Vaccine Controversy, Shobha Krishnan covers quite a bit of ground. At the very beginning, she reminds the reader that this book is a reference guide for Parents, Doctors and Teenagers. It's a dense read; one that is well-researched, well-presented and well-covered. The book covers three main areas: What HPV is, who it's for and what should be done about it.

In the first area, What HPV is, Shobha Krisnan devotes quite some time to discussing what the HPV virus is, what it isn't, its forms and what parents should be concerned about. The HPV virus, says Shobha, is widely and readily passes from person to person, in its many different forms, via sexual or nonsexual means. It may cause simple warts to cervical and anal cancer, and may come and go on its own or require surgical excision and therapy. Since some strains of HPV may cause cervical cancer, an outline of what cancers they may cause is vastly discussed and may be beyond the reach of the lay reader who is not familiar with medical terminology or issuance.

The second area, who the HPV vaccine is for goes into quite a `sell'. What that means, is that an extraordinarily amount of the book is spent trying to persuade the reader (parents) why the vaccine is needed (and before their daughters are sexually active) in order for the vaccine to work properly. Since the main purpose of the book is to prevent cervical cancer via HPV vaccinations, there must be an explanation why parents need to vaccinate their young daughters when the outcome will not be seen for many decades. A point is brought up that boys should be vaccinated, as there is early proof that men infect others with the more serious strains of HPV virus that cause cervical and anal cancer. (So far, in the US, only Gardisil is approved for HPV vaccinations and only for girls and women up to age 26).

The last area, what should be done about the HPV vaccine, is, more or less, a reiteration of the first parts of the book. International, developing and underdeveloped countries are touched upon, as cervical cancer rates are much higher than in developed countries. Doctors and health care workers 'in the field' ask that the vaccine cover more than just those HPV strains that lead to cervical and anal cancer and to bring the cost down to a dollar a shot, compared to the three-shot requirement of over $120 per shot.

The book is a good resource and recommended for those parents and caregivers of young girls (and boys) who are concerned about HPV.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

There was not much about God or religious debate, as the title suggests, except for offering the few responses of women from developing countries - "We have lost many women in our village to this God's curse."

The political stance was made clear, funding, poverty and illiteracy ties, poor health care options, lack of public education about HPV and its ties to cervical cancer, among others.

The most resounding line from the book's closing chapter: "Cervical cancer is a preventable public health problem."

[Sonia · Rating 4 out of 5]

very accessible and pretty comprehensive.