So I realise that the HPV debate has been raging in Canada for quite some time, but I feel like I’ve only just come to some of my own realizations and conclusions.
I think I have been reading up diligently on the news updates that are released about Gardasil, the new HPV vaccine that has been released by Merck that is supposed to prevent the majority of HPV related cervical cancers. Despite my efforts, I still feel that I am missing a large part of the picture.
Thank goodness I am not a parent who has been forced into the position of needing to make a decision about having my pre-pubescent daughter vaccinated from potentially contracting this virus; and all before the government decides to stop funding the vaccine or before my daughter becomes too old to be eligible for the government-funded vaccines.
We are suddenly being told that we have an epidemic of cervical cancer on our hands. And while I do not want to minimize the seriousness and life-altering changes that occur with such a diagnosis, I feel as though the powers that be may be witholding valuable information from me.
Are we really in the midst of a cervical cancer crisis for which blanket vaccinations are needed immediately?
According to HPVOntario.ca, there are “approximately 500 females diagnosed with cervical cancer in Ontario and 140 deaths each year”.
My gut feeling is “No”.
There is a part of me that wants to agree with the prevention initiative, as I whole-heartedly believe that more emphasis needs to be placed on the prevention of disease. Surely anything that can prevent cancer in any way, shape or form would be beneficial to the general public. But is this initiative really reaching out to the general public for the right reasons?
First of all, HPV can infect ANYBODY!; not just the pre-teen to mid-20s female population at which Gardasil is aimed. Gardasil is currently only approved for use in Canada with females between the ages of 9 and 26. There have been many questions as to why this vaccination has not been made available to boys of the same age, or why the maximum age at which Gardasil is considered to be effective is a mere 26.
The vaccination of young girls with Gardasil is being touted as a cancer-prevention strategy by the government of Canada. What it does not clarify is that HPV and cervical cancer are two separate things. The contraction of HPV does not automatically mean a diagnosis of cervical cancer. It seems that Merck, and the government supported program, is counting on this point becoming mixed up with the rest of the hazy information that is being released to parents.
The bigger the fear that can be created about developing cancer, the bigger the profit that Merck can reap. Perhaps I am being too cynical?
I have to admit that I have not done a thorough search into how the relationship between Merck and the government began, nor how Merck was able to convince the Canadian government into pouring $300 million into developing a vaccination campaign and program in a matter of months.
(I say “convince” because I’d like to think that the government generally has the public’s best interest in mind and would certainly not be persuaded by any ill-intentioned corporations who are out to benefit themselves…??)
In any case…
I can’t help but think that a huge opportunity to educate the public about sexual health was missed. Rather than providing clear and concrete evidence of the efficacy of this vaccination, the public was presented with an overwhelming question with very little supportive evidence and background information. I think many parents have been left to their own devices in trying to uncover useful information about this vaccination.
Gardasil’s story has been spun in such a way that it seems we would be naive and almost stupid to think that this wasn’t the cure for cervical cancer. Why is it that we do not hear of the legitimate sources who sit on the other side of the fence, or even those who sit ON the fence? The Canadian Women’s Health Network published a paper in June describing the reasons why we should, without stopping the vaccination initative altogether, slow down this initiative while we attempt to answer the many questions that remain unanswered.
I am not arguing the potential benefits of such a vaccine, I would simply like to know the whole story before making a decision for myself. If the government has taken it upon itself to provide this vaccine, it should also take it upon itself to provide the education and information to those affected by the implementation of this program. Without such information, it is like herding cattle into a barn. Give us some credit!
Comments 3
I am a mother of an 11 yr old sick little girl. When I heard of the shot to help stop cancer before it starts i was very intrigued. I researched the shot and decided that it was a good idea. I had my daughter get the first shot, no problems ever arouse. She got her second shot and shortly after she was hospitalized for 4 days with pancreatitis, and anyone that knows about medicine knows that this is highly unusual. She now has abdominal pain everyday. She is now not allowed to eat fatty foods, sugary foods, and spicy foods. She is sooo sick of chicken by the way! I think the ultimate horror in all of this is that Merk doesn’t want to confirm it as a side affect and no lawyers will take the case because they can not prove that this is the ultimate reason for her problems. So, now we are paying for doctors visits and hospital trips out of our pockets with no one being held accountable for this issue.
Posted 20 Jul 2008 at 9:17 pm ¶I am not trying to convince you to or not to get the shot. I am trying to inform some of you on some of the side affects that Merk may not be telling us. There is another case of the same issues on CNN.com.
I am very sorry to hear about your daughter. I hope that she continues to heal and regain her strength and spirit.
The issues of corporate responsibility and research-bias are not new where the pharmaceutical industry is concerned. There really should be no ethical question on the part of the corporation to release all information to the public when also releasing a new “wonder” drug to the same public; yet this question remains.
You are absolutely right that it is unreasonable and impossible for the pharmaceutical industry, and not to mention the government, to expect the public to be able to make informed, rational and objective decisions based on only a small piece of the picture. I would also agree with you that the public is essentially on the losing end of a huge battle in trying to take on such large corporations.
Does the responsibility to provide information to the public rest with the corporation? Or does it rest with the government to enforce the release of this information?
I suppose the easy answer is that there is no easy answer. We are essentially left to our own devices to do as much digging as possible before making a decision.
Please don’t ever feel pressured by the corporation, the government, a marketing campaign, the school, religion, etc. into making a decision. Don’t be afraid to ask the questions that you have. If you’re not satisfied with the response, ask someone else. You have a right to know as much as possible. You have the right to decide for yourself.
Posted 21 Jul 2008 at 7:53 pm ¶My daughter was one that got the vaccine and was sick within days of getting it! She has spent time in ICU and is still very ill over ten months later! Have you found something that helped your daughter? there are many many girls olut there that are sick, but all the ones I am in contact with, either the doctors do not believe it was from the gadrasil shot or like mine, just don’t know how to help! It’s very scary and frustrating!
Posted 30 Mar 2009 at 2:54 pm ¶Post a Comment