What is HPV?
One of the most common sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in Canada is the Human Papillomavirus (HPV). There are a number of different types of HPV; each type leading to different health outcomes (Health Canada, 2007).
According to Health Canada, it is estimated that up to 75% of sexually active men and women will have at least one HPV infection in their lifetime, though only a small number of these cases would potentially go on to develop cancer (Health Canada, 2007).
HPV is often a scarily “silent” infection; many people with HPV will have no signs of infection and go untreated due to this. The majority of people with HPV infections have no symptoms and the virus goes away within a few years (Public Health Agency of Canada, 2007).
There is no treatment available which can cure HPV infection; though there are treatments for some of the symptoms.
What is the link between HPV and cervical cancer?
According to the Public Health Agency of Canada, persistent HPV infection (of the high risk types) is responsible for over 99% of cervical cancer (PHAC, 2007). For Canadian women aged 20 – 44, cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in women, second only to breast cancer; it is estimated that each year more than 400 women die because of it (PHAC, 2007). A link has also been found between vulvar, penile and anal cancer and HPV but these are still under investigation (PHAC, 2007).
HPV Prevention
GardisilTM (manufactured by Merck Frosst) is a vaccine approved for use in Canada, it protects against infection for two high risk types of HPV (16 and 18 - which cause approx 70% of cervical cancers) and two low risk types (6 and 11 – which cause approx 90% of ano-genital warts) (Canadian Women’s Health Network, 2007). The GardisilTM vaccine has been found to be safe within studies with the most common side effect being brief soreness at the site of injection (CWHN, 2007). Studies have indicated protection against HPV types for five years of follow up; studies are ongoing to determine if further immunization is required for vaccinated women to have protection beyond 5 years. Once given the vaccination, it is still possible to become infected with the less common types of HPV (which the vaccine does not protect against) (CWHN, 2007). Cervical cancer can also be detected by getting a Pap Test.
What role does the government play in all this?
The federal government has allocated $300 million in the 2007 federal budget for provinces and territories to support the launch of a national HPV vaccine program for females between the ages of 9 and 26(Health Policy Monitor, 2007). The purpose of the program is to assist provinces and territories in providing free vaccinations to girls (which will help protect them against cervical cancer, and subsequently genital warts).
Immigrant, Aboriginal, low income, rural and other vulnerable populations are often unable to access the vaccine (due to the fact that it has a total cost of about $400.00) (Health Policy Monitor, 2007). Public funding of the vaccine is meant to enhance the accessibility of the vaccine for all women, but in particular for the aforementioned groups.
It is up to the provinces and territories to decide who should receive the vaccine (and whether or not it will be provided at no cost).
References:
Canadian Women’s Health Network (CWHN). (June 2007). HPV, Vaccine, and Gender: Policy Considerations. Retrieved September 28, 2008, from http://www.cwhn.ca/resources/cwhn/hpv-brief.html
Health Canada. Human Papillomavirus (HPV). Retrieved September 28, 2008, from http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hl-vs/iyh-vsv/diseases-maladies/hpv-vph-eng.php
Health Policy Monitor. (October 2007). HPV Vaccine Funded in Canada. Retrieved September 28, 2008, from http://www.hpm.org/en/Surveys/CPRN/10/HPV_Vaccine_Funded_in_Canada.html
Public Health Agency of Canada. (2007). Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Prevention and HPV Vaccine: Questions and Answers. Retrieved September 28, 2008, http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/std-mts/hpv-vph/hpv-vph-vaccine-eng.php#4
No comments:
Post a Comment