What Is Not Being Reported About The Merck Cervical Cancer Vaccine?
Posted by Catherine Morgan on February 16, 2007
WHAT IS NOT BEING REPORTED ABOUT THE MERCK CERVICAL CANCER VACCINE — by Catherine Morgan
UPDATE: See more information on Gardasil and the HPV virus on my BlogHer Health & Wellness post at: Gardasil — The Three Faces of the HPV Vaccine
Did anyone else notice the media passing off pharmaceutical talking points, as actual news? This is a sample of what has been reported in the media; CNN, TIME, and FOX, and MSNBC. I know this happens all the time, but this Cancer Vaccine thing, really takes the cake.
To start with, this is a vaccine that protects against the HPV virus, not cervical cancer. Then, they are trying to make it mandatory that all twelve year old girls be vaccinated, for a sexually transmitted disease. At first, I thought that was the most ridiculous part of this story. I thought that a vaccine was a good idea, but parents should be able to decide whether their child is vaccinated, not the government.
But, the more I listened to the media blitz, the more I realized that something was missing. We heard all about how one of the most important risk factors for cervical cancer is infection with a virus called HPV (human papillomavirus). We also found out that HPV is the most common sexually transmitted disease in America, affecting over 6 million people each year. So, if HPV is the leading cause of cervical cancer, we would be crazy not to vaccinate our children, and that is exactly what “they” want us to believe.
The facts are staggering, but why wasn’t anyone reporting the statistics about how many of the millions affected with HPV will actually get cervical cancer? Probably because that wasn’t one of the “talking points” given to the media. It wasn’t easy to find the actual statistics on this, but I finally did. [The number of women in 2006 that will have been diagnosed with cervical cancer is estimated by the American Cancer Society (ACS) to reach 9,710, and 3,700 will have died of it.] I’m not saying that 3,700 deaths from cervical cancer isn’t a lot, but compared to the millions affected with HPV, the percent that will get or die of cervical cancer is a very small percentage.
[It should be stressed that only a very small percentage of women who have HPV will develop cervical cancer; so simply having HPV doesn't mean that you will get sick. ] — SEE FULL ARTICLE
So, why do we need to vaccinate for HPV? Why should vaccination be mandatory? Could it be pharmaceutical profit margins? No, that could not be the case, since this information and subsequent recommendations have been made by a non-profit, federally funded, bi-partisan organization called Women In Government.
[Women In Government is a national 501(c)(3), non-profit, bi-partisan organization of women state legislators providing leadership opportunities, networking, expert forums, and educational resources to address and resolve complex public policy issues. Women In Government leads the nation with a bold, courageous, and passionate vision that empowers and mobilizes all women legislators to effect sound policy.]
Interestingly enough, the companies funding this government organization, are none other than the pharmaceutical companies, who will ultimately benefit from the policies made by this organization.
I just want to know, does the benefit of this vaccine outweigh the risks of this vaccine? Should this vaccine be mandatory for young girls? Isn’t the instance of cervical cancer already going down dramatically in this country because of routine PAP tests?
[Since the Pap test was introduced, the cervical cancer rate has dropped by roughly 70 percent. Experts say the rate would likely have dropped even further if more low-income women and minority women had been screened.]
So, tell me what you think. Are we getting the whole story? Who really benefits from this vaccine, young girls or large pharmaceutical companies?
ALSO SEE: MERCK ADMITS IT WAS WRONG TO LOBBY FOR MAKING HPV VACCINE MANDATORY
TEN REASONS WHY HPV VACCINE IS “MURKY” ISSUE
HPV VACCINE, FLU VACCINE, CHICKEN POX VACCINE…..AND SO ON…
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Let us know what you think on some of the other issues in politics today…..just go the the WHAT DO YOU THINK? link.
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naturalhigh said
Thank you for posting this. I have a 13 year old daughter and found this extremely helpful.
Catherine Morgan said
“Naturalhigh” — My daughter is 12, so that is why this issue is so important to me.
Thanks for your comment.
Tireman said
Catherine,
Your article did not detail the risks of the vaccine. Is there a place you have found that has those risks listed? Regardless, I would think that a vaccine against HPV is a great idea, even if it’s affect on cervical cancer rates is less than significant. The mere fact that my daughters could avoid contracting the virus from some unscrupulous infected man may make it worthwhile. I would like to think that my daughters will never have sex until they are married, yada, yada, yada, but I try to stay realistic. There is a distinct possibility that they will engage in sexual activity long before I would like them to (which would be shortly after their 30th birthday). It’s hard enough being a father to girls without worrying about them getting bugs. Is that enough reason to have your daughter vaccinated? Just curious.
The other thing that worries me is the “newness” of this vaccine. The medical community did not even get the polio vaccine correct for a number of years. I have even seen articles that attribute the rise of HIV to some batches of poorly made polio vaccine in Africa that were rushed to be administered. Could the same thing happen here?
TM
Catherine Morgan said
Hi “TM” — Why not give the vaccine to the boys??? Since, like you said, they are the ones spreading it. To answer your question about the risks….I’m sure there are many, they probably don’t even know what most of them are yet. But, I don’t have the “risk” information, if anyone gets it, I would put it on my post.
Tireman said
If it works on the boys, I’d be all for it. They’re the ones spreading it most (at least I think they are – I have no scientific facts to back that up). Riskwise, I think I will wait to vaccinate my girls until the drug is proven.
Catherine Morgan said
I agree.
pjvs said
The story you outlined is typical of the way big pharma works. Its similar to the way the maximum recommended cholesterol levels were lowered a few years ago, which got thousands. of more people on the cholesterol lowering drugs.
I’m sure when this vaccine begins to be advertised, you will see a couple of pages of small print detailing all of the side effects of getting the vaccine.
Catherine Morgan said
“Pjvs” — I think you are right.
Catherine Morgan said
THIS IS A COMMENT POSTED TO THE “SUBMIT CONTENT” AREA OF THIS SITE. I THOUGHT I SHOULD ADD IT TO THIS DISCUSSION.
Charles Simons Says:
February 19th, 2007 at 12:30 am e
Catherine: Visit the NCI office of Women’s Health.
[It should be stressed that only a very small percentage of women who have HPV will develop cervical cancer; so simply having HPV doesn’t mean that you will get sick. ]
http://women.cancer.gov/planning/whr0001/cervical.shtml#risk
HPV. Studies have shown that approximately 90 percent of cervical cancers and cervical hyperplasias are associated with HPV, primarily types 16, 18, 31, and 45. HPV type 16 is found in 50 percent of cancers and their precursors, high grade squamous intraepithelial lesions and various degrees of association with the development of cervical neoplasias. A case control study of Costa Rican women less than 50 years old found that cervical inflammation may be associated with high grade lesions and may be an etiologic cofactor in women infected with oncogenic HPV, suggesting that HPV infection is a primary cause of cervical neoplasia and supporting the clinical applications of HPV DNA testing and primary prevention of cervical cancer by vaccination”
I am a fan of science not the Pill Pusher. Good Government protects it’s citizens. The Human body’s immune system does the prevention work that can last a life time, but it helps to give our immune system a head start by early vaccination.
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Catherine Morgan Says:
February 19th, 2007 at 1:03 am e
Hi Charles…thank you for your comment. I will add this link to my post on HPV and Cervical Cancer. However, I am aware of the statistics you are refering to, and even though 90 percent of cervical cancer is believed to be caused by HPV, it is still only about 4% of people with HPV that will get cervical cancer. And, it is my opinion that this vaccine, will cause women to have a false sense of security about cervical cancer and not have routine PAP tests, as well as possibly make them feel they do not need to “protect” themselves from other STD’s as well as AIDS. To me this is clearly a case of pharmaceutical companies wanting profits, and playing on peoples fears to guarantee those profits. As I state in the post…
http://informedvoters.wordpress.com/2007/02/16/what-is-not-being-reported-about-the-merck-cervical-cancer-vaccine/
…the key supporters of the government study on this issue are by pharmaceutical companies (such as Merck).
I believe we are on a slippery slope when government policy is being dictated by multi-million dollar companies, that are also contributing to political campaigns. This is happening in many aspects of government, and is my main problem regarding the issue of an HPV vaccine. If a vaccine is available, great. Let parents research and discuss benefits and risks of this vaccine with their physicians, and make an educated decision on whether to vaccinate their child against this virus. But, the government should stay out of it.
This is just my opinion, and I thank you for your comment.
Catherine Morgan said
I’m currently working on a post regarding the way Corporate America is infuencing public policy, and I came across this article that I feel helps explain my opinion on the issue of the HPV vaccine.
How the pharmaceutical industry gets its way in Washington:
[The pharmaceutical and health products industry has spent more than $800 million in federal lobbying and campaign donations at the federal and state levels in the past seven years, a Center for Public Integrity investigation has found. Its lobbying operation, on which it reports spending more than $675 million, is the biggest in the nation. No other industry has spent more money to sway public policy in that period. Its combined political outlays on lobbying and campaign contributions is topped only by the insurance industry.] — see full article at
http://www.publicintegrity.org/rx/report.aspx?aid=723
skywindows said
I have an 11 yr old and 10 yr old daughter, and the 10 yr old is in remission from bone cancer (that we found out about this past October). This issue is extremly important to me. Would I do anything in my power to stop another Cancer scare in my daughters? Absolutley! Do I think the government should make that decision for me? Absolutly not! I think that we need a “Seperation of Corporate and State” amendment! It is getting ridiculous!
Catherine Morgan said
“Skywindows” — I’m so sorry to hear about your daughter, but happy to hear she is in remission. I agree with you 100%, parents need to be the ones to make the decision regarding this vaccine, not the government. I think your idea of an amendment of “Seperation of Corporate and State”, sounds like just what we need.
Thanks for your comments.
marizen said
Hi Catherine,
Your post (& site) is very informative. You & TM bring up a good point: Why not vaccinate boys??
Catherine Morgan said
Thanks Marizen.
galvanized said
Catherine,
Thanks for giving this matter attention. I wrote about it on my blog, as well. I think that Gov. Perry making this mandatory is, more or less, making all 11- and 12 year-old girls part of a study group for a drug whose long-term effects are still uncertain. The proof is in the fact that not all teenaged girls are required to have this vaccine, which is interesting to me, as most 13- and 14 year-olds are not yet sexually active, either. So doesn’t that simply make it a cleaner and more easily defined study in requiring just these two ages to be innoculated? I find that so troubling. I think that our daughters deserve more than to be state-mandated lab rats. And I’m with you and TM — doesn’t it also make it a cleaner study to use just one sex? Boys and girls alike should be vaccinated. Perry and Merck were definitely wrong in pushing this through without a vote. That alone says enough.
Catherine Morgan said
Hi “Galvanized” — Thanks for your comment. I just posted on an AP report stating that Merck is backing off of it’s lobbying to have their HPV vaccine mandatory.
http://informedvoters.wordpress.com/2007/02/20/merck-admits-it-was-wrong-to-lobby-for-making-hpv-vaccine-mandatory/
Matt Miller said
Some people have said, “Why not give the vaccine to the boys?” I saw a political discussion on a PBS station in KY (Kentucky Tonight) about this. They said that the vaccine does not work on boys. They said that there was a way of vaccinating boys, but it involved the use of sandpaper. (I’m not joking, I don’t understand it either.)
Catherine Morgan said
Hi Matt…..You had me going there for a minute.
in2thefray said
The action of mandating the immunization for an STD is an improper assertion of government power. This particular program seems to have more agenda than concern behind it.
Catherine Morgan said
“In2thefray” — I agree 100%. Thank you so much for taking the time to comment.
Angie Teets said
I like how you think. You should visit http://www.YourRight2Choose.org . It’s a non-profit fighting to give people the truth about HPV. Things the media doesn’t talk about.
Catherine Morgan said
Thanks Angie…I’ll check it out.
You might also be interested in checking out my post on this for BlogHer Health & Wellness. I am using this particular post to consolidate as much information as I possibly can on the Gardacil issue. Since posting it I have also added two UPDATES in the comment section…and I will be posting another UPDATE shortly. If you want to check out the post it is at…
http://blogher.org/node/18902
You might also want to add this link in the comments of my BlogHer post (since so many more women will see it there than here).
Thanks again for the comment and the link.
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Michael said
HiCatherine.Thanks for your post about “The Merck Cervical Cancer Vaccine” .Your article make great idea to me.Thanks.
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