The New Human Papillomavirus (HPV) for Pediatric and Adolescent Health
The New Human Papillomavirus (HPV) for Pediatric and Adolescent Health
The new human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is a research breakthrough for pediatric/adolescent health to prevent cervical cancer and related morbidity. The annual heath care cost for the treatment of cervical cancer and genital warts is estimated to be more than three billion dollars a year. The new HPV vaccine has incredible potential to improve reproductive health promotion, reduce health care costs, and close health care disparity gaps. However, issues both for and against the new HPV vaccine, including mandating vaccination, high cost of the vaccine, the short duration of protection offered, and the perceived promotion of sexual activity, cause confusion. Pediatric nurses, including those in advanced practice, benefit by understanding the pros and cons of these issues in advocating for their patients.
The human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most commonly acquired sexually transmitted infection in the United States for those ages 16 to 24 (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2006). HPV is spread through skin to skin contact during sexual play and through all types of intercourse – vaginal, oral, and anal (Koutsky, 1997). Although condoms may offer some protection, they do not prevent the spread of HPV, which includes more than 40 different DNA strains or types (CDC, 2006). Most of these DNA types manifest themselves as genital warts or go unnoticed; however, four specific types (6, 11, 16, and 18) are linked to cervical cancer. These four HPV types are responsible for 70% of cervical cancers and 90% of genital warts (Harper, Franco, & Wheeler, 2006).
The National Cancer Institute's Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) data estimated that in 2008, more than 11,000 women would be diagnosed with cervical cancer (Ries et al., 2008). Data on incidence rates for cervical cancer indicate that in the U.S., African-American and Hispanic women have the highest incidence rates of cervical cancer (CDC, 2006). These data also demonstrate a persistent rise in incidence of cervical cancer for both of these groups over the last six years.
Abstract and Introduction
Abstract
The new human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is a research breakthrough for pediatric/adolescent health to prevent cervical cancer and related morbidity. The annual heath care cost for the treatment of cervical cancer and genital warts is estimated to be more than three billion dollars a year. The new HPV vaccine has incredible potential to improve reproductive health promotion, reduce health care costs, and close health care disparity gaps. However, issues both for and against the new HPV vaccine, including mandating vaccination, high cost of the vaccine, the short duration of protection offered, and the perceived promotion of sexual activity, cause confusion. Pediatric nurses, including those in advanced practice, benefit by understanding the pros and cons of these issues in advocating for their patients.
Introduction
The human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most commonly acquired sexually transmitted infection in the United States for those ages 16 to 24 (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2006). HPV is spread through skin to skin contact during sexual play and through all types of intercourse – vaginal, oral, and anal (Koutsky, 1997). Although condoms may offer some protection, they do not prevent the spread of HPV, which includes more than 40 different DNA strains or types (CDC, 2006). Most of these DNA types manifest themselves as genital warts or go unnoticed; however, four specific types (6, 11, 16, and 18) are linked to cervical cancer. These four HPV types are responsible for 70% of cervical cancers and 90% of genital warts (Harper, Franco, & Wheeler, 2006).
The National Cancer Institute's Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) data estimated that in 2008, more than 11,000 women would be diagnosed with cervical cancer (Ries et al., 2008). Data on incidence rates for cervical cancer indicate that in the U.S., African-American and Hispanic women have the highest incidence rates of cervical cancer (CDC, 2006). These data also demonstrate a persistent rise in incidence of cervical cancer for both of these groups over the last six years.