HPV Vaccination
The Federal Drug Administration (FDA) has approved quadrivalent human papilloma virus recombinant vaccine. The trade name for this product is Gardasil. This new vaccine helps protect against diseases caused by the human papillomavirus, which you may know as HPV. You also may know that HPV is associated with the occurrence of cervical cancer and genital warts. Our studies show that if we can prevent the acquisition of HPV, that we can prevent the occurrence of cervical cancer and genital warts in a very high percentage of patients.
The FDA has approved vaccination in females 9 to 26 years of age for prevention of the following diseases caused by Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Types 6, 11, 16, and 18:
* Cervical cancer
* Genital warts (condyloma acuminata) and the following precancerous or dysplastic lesions:
* Cervical adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS)
* Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) grade 2 and grade 3
* Vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN) grade 2 and grade 3
* Vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia (VaIN) grade 2 and grade 3
* Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) grade 1Please let us know if you are interested in beginning immediate immunizations. If you prefer to wait until the insurance company's begin approving payment, be sure to let us know of your interest in the future. If it is more convenient for you to receive these vaccinations from you gynecologist, please let him or her know of your interest. You will want to continue or incorporate safe sexual practices as a matter of routine both before and after immunization.
Here some excellent resources if you want to explore more of the details regarding this wonderful advance:
1. The CDC (Center for Disease Control) is the best site: http://www.cdc.gov/std/hpv/STDFact-HPV-Vaccine.htm
2. The FDA website: http://www.fda.gov/CBER/products/hpvmer060806qa.htm
3. The National Cancer Institute website: http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/risk/HPV-vaccine
