It was recently announced that this year’s Nobel Prize in Medicine was shared between three researchers, whose work focused on viral diseases.  One of the researchers was a gentleman by the name of Harald zur Hausen, and his award was for recognizing that the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) can cause cervical cancer.  Mr. Hausen went against the prevailing view at the time by putting forth his idea in the 1970’s.  He spent the following ten years working to prove his theory.  The story can be found below:

Human Papilloma Virus And Cancer, HIV Discoveries Recognized In 2008 Nobel Prize In Physiology Or Medicine###
ScienceDaily (2008-10-06) — The Nobel Assembly at Karolinska Institutet has awarded The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for 2008 with one half to Harald zur Hausen for his discovery of human papilloma viruses causing cervical cancer and the other half jointly to Françoise Barré-Sinoussi and Luc Montagnier for their discovery of human immunodeficiency virus. … > read full article

Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women, and is believed to be responsible for 5% of all cancers diagnosed globally.  The human papilloma virus is present in 99.7% of the confirmed cancer cases.  Mr. Hausen’s work ultimately led to the development of a vaccine that is highly effective against HPV, and as such, should dramatically reduce the global burden for treating cervical cancers.  The vaccine, marketed under the trade name Gardasil, has been available in the U.S. since 2006.

Vaccine has not been widely adopted

The Center for Disease Control has issued a factsheet on the vaccine.  It is recommended for girls between the ages of 9-26 as one of the most effective ways to prevent cervical cancer and genital warts.  Yet, as of the writing of this article by Newsweek, less than 20% of those recommended to have taken the vaccine are actually believed to have done so.  The question, of course, is why?  There are several reasons that have been postulated.  Among them are:

1. Societal.  The only way to become infected with HPV is through sexual contact, and some people apparently view this as a “sex” vaccine.
2. It is believed only 2 women out of 5 in the target audience have ever heard about HPV.
3. A majority of women don’t know of a health risk posed by HPV.
4. Cost.  The vaccine consists of a course of 3 treatments which total $360.

Apparently the vaccine is thought to be most effective if given before a person has ever been infected with HPV, which necessitates giving it before sexual contact.  Currently, the vaccine is only recommended for women, but Merck is also studying the vaccine in men, as HPV is believed to be capable of causing penile cancer, as well as some cancers of the head and neck.

To be certain, it sounds as if the vaccine may present some downside risks, but according to the CDC it is believed to be safe and effective.  I know I’ll keep an eye on its development, and particularly if it becomes suggested for young men.  If there is ample scientific evidence that my young boys can be protected from some forms of cancer, with little risk, you can bet that my wife and I will take a long, hard look at providing that protection.  We owe it to them.