According to the World Health Organization there are over 100 strains of the Human Papilloma Virus; a small subset of these strains are known to have carcinogenic properties. HPV strains 16 and 18 are known to cause cervical and oral cancers. Other strains that are known to cause cancers are 33, 35, 39, 51, 52, 56, 58, and 59. In 2006, the vaccine Gardisil became available for females aged 9-26. The vaccine protects against HPV strains 6,11,16, and 18 (strains 6 and 11 most commonly cause genital warts). Though the vaccine spurred much controversy it is now also recommended that young males complete the vaccination series as HPV is a leading cause of cancers in the mouth and throat. Based on the article “Viruses and Human Cancer: From Detection to Cause”, I believe that a new vaccination would best serve to protect against other strains that are known to be “probably carcinogenic to humans” such as 33, 35, 39, 51, 52, 56, 58, and 59. By expanding the variety of strains that could be prevented via vaccination the rates of cancer related to HPV would hopefully decrease. This would also be more cost effective than creating vaccines for all of the strains. Ideally all young women and men would get the vaccine before they engage in any form of sexual intercourse so that they gain immunity before they are exposed to any HPV strains. Recommendations from the CDC for the timing of the HPV vaccine include two doses spaced apart by six months starting at age 11-12 for both boys and girls. I would agree with the logic to give the vaccination early to help prevent any future risk for cancer. The article by Sarid and Gao states that the “onset of cancer typically occurs decades after initial infection with a potentially transforming virus”. With the use of both vaccination and regular medical screenings, including cervical exams, the rates of cancer caused by the Human Papilloma Virus can be decreased.
References
Human papillomavirus (HPV) and cervical cancer. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/human-papillomavirus-(hpv)-and-cervical-cancer
Sarid, R., & Gao, S.-J. (2011). Viruses and human cancer: From detection to causality. Cancer Letters, 305(2), 218–227. doi: 10.1016/j.canlet.2010.09.011
