Cervical Cancer Immunisation

[Davros]

I could put this in "Health" but thought it might be more appropriate here. DD is just going into Year 8 and we've been sent the consent forms for this immunisation. I'm inclined to say no as her cousin, who is now 18, had a terrible time with it, off school for months with ME type symptoms. Obviously they are related so DD may react similarly or she may be fine. I am a bit at every teenage girl being immunised and it only lasts (can't remember) 20 years? I'm interested in all advice, opinion, experiences

DD2 has a medical condition which is the one being talked about in relation to the HPV vaccine. Her symptoms only became obvious after she'd had the vaccine 5 years ago, but looking back, she had been ill before, just not noticeably. So at most, if there is a connection, all that happened was that it triggered the more serious symptoms, which could have happened at any time (eg after flu).

DD3 had the vaccine this year, both her and our decision, weighing up the potential risks of her developing the same set of symptoms as DD2 against the risk of HPV/cervical cancer. DD2 says she'd rather have had it than not, despite being ill enough to qualify for DLA, and not being allowed a driving licence.

Completely irresponsible to not have her vaccinated IMO. Cervical cancer could kill her.

For every one anecdotal story that seems a bit off, you do realise there are hundreds of thousands of girls who have been vaccinated with no issues whatsoever and no side effects?

Just pointing out as well that it's possible to contract HPV while using a condom, so merely 'having protected sex' won't help.

I had the cervical cancer jab at school seven years ago, and they do warn you about the symptoms, so you are right to be worried. Is this something you can ask your doctor about? You niece's symptoms may not have been caused by the jab but unless you find out for sure, you are understandably, going to be worried.

I would definitely recommend that young women (and young men, once they create a vaccine for men) have the jab. The injection, if I remember correctly, involved three jabs and was a bit painful.

How are we all surviving in our generation without the vaccine? What's wrong with smear tests and testing for the virus?

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/mumsnet_live_events/2436121-Labour-leadership-hustings-Webchat-with-Andy-Burnham-Thursday-30-July-2pm

We are not all surviving feather that's the point.

yes feather we're not all surviving. Why don't you tell that to my best friend, whose sister died a year ago of cervical cancer at the ripe old age of 31?

Had all her smear tests. Still died.

So the smear tests don't work, is that what you're saying?

maybebabybee this is not a random anecdotal story, it was a close relative and it ruined nearly two years of her teenage life so it has made me think twice. I am not one of those people who is anti conventional medicine, far from it, and I think homeopathy is the Devil's work so it's not part of a general suspicion but I feel must consider every aspect.
myvisionscomefromsoup, thank you for telling your story, very helpful indeed.

Just because it's s close relative doesn't make any difference, surely. It's still anecdotal evidence which is by no means concrete or reliable.

Feather obviously I was not saying that, I was just saying you were quite wrong in your assumption that our generation survives cervical cancer because of smear tests. They don't. Smear tests have massively helped, obviously.

Are you for real feather? Cervical screening as with any type of screening is not 100% at present all cervical screenings that return an abnormal result are then screened for the high risk strains of hpv. If this is positive the usual route is to offer women colposcopy to remove the surface of the cervix in the expectation that this will also remove the hpv virus. But this does not prevent future exposure and does rely on women attending for appts.

Op please speak to your gp/np for advice about this with specific reference to your dniece. My gut feeling is that your should have the vaccine as it is more likely that she will be exposed to hpv than side effects from the vaccination but only a medical professional who cares for you can give this advice.

Main problem with any gynea cancer in women is that it gets dismissed as period problems or irritable bowel syndrome and gets dismissed.

I was very lucky when I got mid cycle bleeding that my gp referred me to gynae and I was seen within the 3 week "shit it might be cancer" window.

It was actually a polyp, totally benign and whipped off there and then but these things do put the wind up you.

I go for regular screens but a lot of women don't go for them.

My dd did not have this vaccination due to existing health problems. It's the only vaccination she has not had

OP, as others have said, at the very least talk to your GP about this; if they are prepared to take responsibility for advising you to go ahead with the vaccination given your dd's family history, then get them to do it in the surgery. That way they can monitor and record side-effects. If they won't take responsibility, then think again. If you read the heart-rending accounts of parents on the thread I linked to, you will see why you need to do this.

On balance I think she will have it but it is a good idea to look into getting it done at the GP's surgery. We know our Dr very well, he and DH went to school together(!) and he has known us through all our trials and always been very supportive. I suppose once we decide to go ahead, I will see if she minds whether she gets it done with all the other girls at school or not. I am pleased I asked the question because I was just ignoring it and hoping it would go away. I am seeing DSis and DNiece tomorrow so I will ask them more about it.

I would still prefer to have regular smear tests tbh. I tested negative for the virus recently after tests showed abnormal cells; a GP explained it all to me yesterday and it seems like a pretty robust system. It's a personal choice, this vaccine more so than others.

Always using a condom/dental dam including for oral sex, will lower your risk of contracting HPV somewhat, but will not eliminate the risk. Basically you have to keep your pants on to do that. It's not yet known whether snogging can transmit the virus.

My DD (with me and DH) and one other of her friends, refused to have it.
It doesn't last 20 years......research shows it lasts about 5 years.....so when they become sexually active.
Check out some scholarly research articles about the vaccine.

Don't forget, this isn't protecting against cervical cancer.....its protecting against the virus which may lead to cervical cancer. Although the majority of people who get HPV clear the virus themselves, as you would any other virus.

Yes, the dds didn't have the jab and quite a few in their cohorts also opted out. It's not unusual.

I would like to know a lot more about how your Niece's problems were formally connect to her HPV jab. If your Niece/SIL don't mind you sharing.

Wouldn't they have to yellow card that kind of thing?.

They are very very reluctant to use the yellow card system.