HPV Vaccine & Recurrences of Cervical Cancer

Redbanker

Here's an interesting article that was just posted to the New York Times. I had wondered if there was any point in going for the HPV vaccine and our doctors pretty much said that there was no percentage in closing the barn door now. This makes me wonder. In fact, it makes me think, what the hell. Nick finished treatment back in June of '11 and we don't have an upcoming doctor's visit until June. If any of you are being treated at or connected to a top flight research hospital--Hopkins, Anderson, SK--you might want to ask your doctors about this and see if it gives them any pause vis a vis head and neck.

Nancy

VITAL SIGNS
Prevention: HPV Vaccine Shows Reduced Recurrence
By NICHOLAS BAKALAR
Published: April 2, 2012


A new study suggests that the vaccine against human papillomavirus can significantly cut the likelihood of virus-related disease even among women who have had surgery for cervical cancer caused by HPV.

Using data from a large randomized efficacy trial of the HPV vaccine, the researchers selected a group of 1,350 women 15 to 26 years old who had undergone cervical surgery. Some 587 previously had received the HPV vaccine and 763 a placebo shot.

Those who had gotten the vaccine were 46 percent less likely to suffer subsequent HPV-related disease over the following two years. The effect among women with the most serious kinds of cancer was even stronger: a reduction in risk of 64 percent among those who were vaccinated, compared with those who got a placebo.

The lead author, Dr. Elmar A. Joura, an associate professor of gynecology at the Medical University of Vienna, said that many people believe that the vaccination is useful only in sexually naïve girls, and indeed it is most effective in that group.

But women who have had an HPV-related infection are at high risk for recurrence, and Dr. Joura believes it is important to vaccinate them as well: “Regardless of your age or your history, a vaccination can prevent new disease.”

The study was published March 27 in the journal BMJ.

Irishgypsie

D Lewis!!!
If I remeber correctly D Lewis had recommened this a while back. I beleive she had said her Stanford docs recommeneded the vaccine to help beat the odds of reaccurence!!

This article was also posted on the OCF web-site.

Definitley something to consider, in our fight to help beat the odds.


http://oralcancernews.org/wp/hpv-vaccine-reduces-all-subtypes-of-hpv-disease/

D Lewis

Irishgypsie said:

D Lewis!!!
If I remeber correctly D Lewis had recommened this a while back. I beleive she had said her Stanford docs recommeneded the vaccine to help beat the odds of reaccurence!!

This article was also posted on the OCF web-site.

Definitley something to consider, in our fight to help beat the odds.


http://oralcancernews.org/wp/hpv-vaccine-reduces-all-subtypes-of-hpv-disease/

Yep
I got the vaccine, shortly after completing treatment. Only, it wasn't Stanford. They laughed and said that they didn't expect that it would have an effect. Or, that if it did, it would be a vaccine working in a way that was completely unexpected and unexplained by current science. I referenced 'Pascal's wager' and went ahead and got the vaccine from my maverick GP. He described and coded it as 'immune booster' and my insurance paid.

If the vaccine does have ANY effect at all in slowing the recurrence of an HPV-caused malignancy, which is what mine was, then getting vaccinated during that critical two-year window after treatment, when you DON'T want to see a recurrence is very important. At least, to my mind it is.

Deb

Irishgypsie

D Lewis said:

Yep
I got the vaccine, shortly after completing treatment. Only, it wasn't Stanford. They laughed and said that they didn't expect that it would have an effect. Or, that if it did, it would be a vaccine working in a way that was completely unexpected and unexplained by current science. I referenced 'Pascal's wager' and went ahead and got the vaccine from my maverick GP. He described and coded it as 'immune booster' and my insurance paid.

If the vaccine does have ANY effect at all in slowing the recurrence of an HPV-caused malignancy, which is what mine was, then getting vaccinated during that critical two-year window after treatment, when you DON'T want to see a recurrence is very important. At least, to my mind it is.

Deb

3 doses!!!
Did you get all 3 doses? I have read that some are suggesting that maybe just two maybe as effective??

DrMary

How about spouse?
My OBGYN did not recommend the vaccine for me - his feeling was that I was not showing any signs (he did test cervix cells for HPV) and apparently had been able to fight it off for the last 30-something years.

It sounds worth it for Doug to get it now (his son will be glad his father gets to share the pain) and I'm going to ask about me as well. I've never had a negative side effect to a vaccine, so I'm ready to do Pascal's wager as well.

D Lewis

Irishgypsie said:

3 doses!!!
Did you get all 3 doses? I have read that some are suggesting that maybe just two maybe as effective??

Yes, all three.
I'd have probably done more, if they'd let me.

Deb