Cancers are the first
cause of death in France. Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer for
women aged between 15 and 44 years old, after breast cancer. Cervical cancer is
responsible for more than a thousand deaths each year in France. It concerns
millions of women in the world. This cancer is caused by the papillomavirus virus.
75% of men and sexually active women will be affected by human papillomavirus
in their lives. Generally (in 90% of cases), the female’s body eliminates the
virus, but sometimes (in 10% of cases), these HPV viruses cause precancerous
lesions in the cervix, which might generate a cancer.
To try to prevent this lethal cancer, a preventive vaccine was introduced in 2006: Gardasil. Three doses are required to be immunized: at intervals of 2 and 6 months. A girl has to be vaccinated before her first sexual intercourse. Although it is the only vaccine to prevent a cancer nowadays, it is subject to many controversies. Like any vaccine and any treatment there are always side effects. Recently, Henri Joyeux, an oncologist and surgeon took the initiative of launching a petition; it is headed: “No to mass vaccination of children against HPV!” According to him, vaccinating children with a product that may not be effective can be potentially dangerous or even fatal. After a few months on the Internet, the petition has 367,801 signatures.
To try to prevent this lethal cancer, a preventive vaccine was introduced in 2006: Gardasil. Three doses are required to be immunized: at intervals of 2 and 6 months. A girl has to be vaccinated before her first sexual intercourse. Although it is the only vaccine to prevent a cancer nowadays, it is subject to many controversies. Like any vaccine and any treatment there are always side effects. Recently, Henri Joyeux, an oncologist and surgeon took the initiative of launching a petition; it is headed: “No to mass vaccination of children against HPV!” According to him, vaccinating children with a product that may not be effective can be potentially dangerous or even fatal. After a few months on the Internet, the petition has 367,801 signatures.
Medical trials have shown that the benefits of this vaccine outweigh the risks, which is the reason why the majority of French girls have been vaccinated. Every parent has the choice to vaccinate their daughter or not. At the International Congress on Immunity in Nice last March, Doctor Schönefeld, world leader in autoimmunity, declared: "Vaccination is what medicine has done best for humanity in the last three centuries".
The real problem is cancer and its terrible consequences. In my opinion, it’s an incredible opportunity to be able to have access to this vaccine in our country. We all have the freedom to decide and to answer the question: “Should I get vaccinated?” It is up to you, me, I have already made up my mind!
Links:
http://www.papillomavirus.fr/hpv-et-lesions-ano-genitales/lesions-hpv-femme/maladies-hpv-col-uterus/
Florine Charachon wants
to become a paediatrician.
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