N.C. considers cervical cancer vaccine
Wednesday, February 28th, 2007
By Chris Fitzsimon
By Kerra L. Bolton
KBOLTON@CITIZEN-TIMES.COM
RALEIGH — Legislation in the state Senate would require that public schools give students and parents information about a vaccine for a sexually transmitted virus that can cause cervical cancer.
The move would address cervical cancer rates in Western North Carolina that rival those of developing nations, though critics say it could give adolescents girls a sense of safety about sex.
There are 30 strains of human papillomavirus. The vaccine addresses four of them, two of which are spread through sexual contact.
Legislatures nationwide have been grappling with the issue, brought on by a national Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommendation that 11- and 12-year-old girls get a vaccination against the sexually transmitted HPV.
“I’m hopeful that education about the origin of cervical cancer and the virus will be given to families and these young women so that they can make a wise choice as to obtaining the vaccination,” said Dr. Tim Vanderkwaak, an Asheville gynecologic oncologist. (more…)
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