Beating Cancer
Hannah Packwood explains how vacccinations for girls may help in later life.
It is hoped that this vaccine will reduce cervical cancers by 75% and pre-cancerous conditions by 90%. Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in women under thirty five, the vaccine protects women contracting the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) which is a primary cause. In my opinion it is quite reassuring to know that perhaps this is a path that will be a safe guard in the future. It is a known fact that one in every three people will suffer from some sort of cancer in their lives - this vaccine could be a huge safety net and allow assurance for the future.
It is hoped that this vaccine will reduce cervical cancers by 75% and pre-cancerous conditions by 90%
It’s the start of the school year, we’re all relatively relaxed after our holidays…then they tell us it’s time for the dreaded jab! Personally, I believe that the medical profession knows what it is talking about and we should accept all the advice that they are giving us, however, for me there is one small flaw in the plan, surely we can’t know what the future holds for new vaccines as they haven’t exactly been tried and tested long term.
From September next year, girls of twelve and thirteen years will be vaccinated against sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) linked to cervical cancer later in life. It will be a three dose course and is designed to protect girls before they become sexually active. Girls that are older at the start of the campaign will be vaccinated over the following two years. The fact that the medical world is starting to give the vaccine to younger girls does suggest that they are showing cause for concern for their futures and truly want people to be able to live their lives to the full.
The medical world seems divided on this vaccine which initially will not be compulsory. Obviously, anything that protects from cancer must be considered a good thing, but the course of vaccines designed for such young girls overlooks those who may remain celibate, or who will only ever have one faithful partner and who will be responsible to have regular cervical smears that are already successful at early detection of abnormalities. Also as this is a new vaccine any unforeseen side effects may be unknown for twenty years or more.
Overall, I think this vaccine could be greatly beneficial to young girls, but perhaps the medical world ought to come to a definite conclusion about whether or not this jab is truly necessary before making any decisions, ensuring the best possible option for young girls of today.
