Cervical cancer is caused by the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and is always sexually transmitted. It is important to note that not all forms of HPV are sexually transmitted, but the strains that cause cervical cancer are.
A full discussion of vaccination pros and cons is a related issue, one that I will skip in this blog post but it it worth noting that vaccinations are not without risk.
Just today, MSNBC reported the case of a British girl, aged 14 who just died from the treatment. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/33070294/ns/health-kids_and_parenting/
"As with any medical intervention ... one can, on rare occasions, see tragic consequences," said Professor Malcolm McCrae, virologist at the University of Warwick. "But overall this is an extremely well-tested vaccine which has been produced in response to a critical health issue — cervical cancer — a disease responsible for almost 1,000 deaths annually in the UK."
The cases may be rare, indeed, but is it worth the risk? Especially when cervical cancer is a lifestyle disease related to sexual activity with multiple partners. The dialogue needs to start here! Have you ever heard about the true cause of cervical cancer on television when you see young girls earnestly stating that they want to be “one less” and are getting the vaccine?
How about less promiscuity? How about some degree of responsible education on the subject? Is that too much to ask?
