To not let dd have the HVP vaccination?

[DogGoneMad]

Dh and I really disagree on this.

Oh I saw that testing for HPV is not available on the NHS either. I am quite surprised by that somehow. If it is indeed the case that adult women who haven't contacted HPV yet can get the vaccine I would think that testing would be very beneficial! Surely testing and giving vaccines to HPV free people would make sense not just health but also long-term cost wise?

Bela, I'm sorry I hadn't realised that HPV testing is already available. I imagine that someone like WannaBeMarryPoppins should get herself tested before vaccination, if she decides to do that, to make sure she hasn't already got the virus.

And if two people met and decided that they would like to start a sexual relationship, they could both go to a clinic and get tested for HIV, herpes and HPV beforehand; if they were both clear of all infections, then they could be sure that they would stay clear as long as they remained together monogamously.

Presumably you have to pay to have these tests done privately?

PIMS, I know what the most recent figures are from CDC - I posted them earlier in the thread. They don't tie in with the ones you posted on the last page:

"This is out of 23 million given
32 reported serious reactions were determined as unlikely to have been caused by the vaccines.
"

and you also said about there were 300,000 deaths from CC

Where did these figures come from? Cancer research UK has a figure of 273,000 for worldwide CC deaths. Is that what you were talking about?

Also noticed on the Cancer Research website that in Europe in 2008 the mortality rates for CC were 70% lower than they were 30 years before (that's without the HPV vaccine). So screening obviously does make a difference and does save lives.

X post, MarryPoppins!

Just out of curiosity why is a vaccine reaction dismissed as scaremongering but someone's personal story about their experience off CC isn't? The are both anecdotes but apparently one is considered more valid than the other....

MarryPoppins, I think they need to be very sure indeed that any older age group has had no exposure to HPV. I'm pretty sure one of the links showed that if you are vaccinated when you already have the HPV, it makes you more likely to develop cervical cancer. But I have to say that I haven't checked back among all the links to verify that, so I hope others will correct me if I'm wrong.

It is an important thing to know about, in any case.

Of*

Loads of x-posting going on!

The NHS website said

"Currently, testing for human papilloma virus (HPV) infection is not generally available on request through the NHS.

In some women, HPV infection of the cervix may be diagnosed through the NHS Cervical Screening Programme. Depending on their cervical screening test result, some women may be tested for high-risk HPV infection. However, HPV tests may not be available in all areas."

So it seems to depend on the region I guess? I will contact my GP about it.

I agree with you Lemon, HPV should be done as part of a sexual screening before starting a relationship just as you would test for HIV.

Wannabe, absolutely speak to your gp.
I'll make some enquires too. Although the vaccine schedule is 12-18, it is licenced for use within the NHS for 9-26 year olds. I don't want to give you false hope, so I'll ask a gp collegue and get back to you

And I just x-posted again. Interesting that there might be an increase.

I admit I do not know too much about it so it seems to be an area of sexual education that could and should be expanded in schools. I hope it is now that the vaccine is available. I will do some research into it and then look what could be done.

If there would be a risk to me at this point I would obviously not do it, I just thought I should ask on here. And it might be useful to know for other women too who haven't contacted HPV!

Yay! We got somewhere!

Thank you PIMS, that would be great.
Are you considering enquiring for yourself as well?

Lemon balm, that information about HPV making you more likely to develop cervical cancer is the sort of dangerous misleading information I am talking about. Please be sure of the facts before you male such potentially damaging accusations

Yes, I think if it's possible to find out your HPV status, that is going to be critical. With the understanding that that status can change, because often the virus is just shrugged off.

It would be useful to know typical timescales for shrugging off the virus. If people are going to be tested, I think they will want to know how long they are likely to have it for - if only to know when they should go back for a re-test.

PIMS, I'm pretty sure it was on one of the links that Bela posted. I did add the disclaimer - I thought that was fair.

It's just like being told off by Matron.

Should I go and stand in the corner?

Lemon balm and marypoppins, from cancer research uk:

"HPV testing will be available as part of the NHS cervical cancer screening programme in some areas from April 2011. It will be offered to women with borderline or low grade cervical changes detected in the first round of cervical screening. Women who test positive for high risk types of HPV will be referred for a colposcopy straight away. In women who test negative for HPV the cell changes are likely to go back to normal on their own so they do not need treatment but will have monitoring to see whether the cervical changes have gone back to normal after a few months."

Yes; but we're talking about people who have no symptoms whatsoever; people who think they are completely free of HPV and want confirmation of that.

Yes, at that point it would surely be too late to consider a vaccine? Thank you though Bumbley. It's good to know that women who do have changes in their pap do get offered these tests now though. I feel like there is a lot of improvement in knowledge and availability of tests in regards to some more intimate diseases unfortunately.

Why? Regardless of whether you are free of it or not you should still be having regular smear tests. There is no treatment for hpv itself so if you get a positive result you could be left worrying about it even though the majority of cases will resolve themselves. I'm not sure I can see the benefit weighed up against the cost that Bela was talking about earlier.

I don't think anyone is in charge of what people may or may not post. Aside from rudeness and abuse, of course. I don't think a single one of us (except possibly Bela and bubbly) has posted every single time without needing correction.

Bumbley. BUMBLEY. Gah.

:) BB.

Wannabe, I had it in 2009 when it was released, I was 26. I did go privately, but as I lost my best friend to a preventable form of cervical cancer I thought it was worth it

Sorry if that was too personal a question PIMS, I didn't realise till now that it might have been. Thanks for telling me though. We got a long family history of cancer, my dad died just two years ago when he was in his mid 50s. So I am quite on the look out if that makes sense? (I am not paranoid or anything, just looking out for myself if possible)

And I have appreciated everyones information. And of course I would go for regular smear tests Bumbley. I just meant too late to consider the vaccine. Not getting tested,