Cervical Cancer Shot May Be Standard In 6th Grade

The Indy Channel ^ | September 12, 2006 | AP

[Abathar]

A bipartisan group of Michigan lawmakers wants all sixth-grade girls to be vaccinated against cervical cancer.

A Republican state senator who is the lead sponsor said it's the first legislation of its kind in the U.S.

The vaccine was approved by federal regulators this summer and hailed as a breakthrough in cancer prevention. The shots prevent infections from strains of a sexually transmitted virus -- human papilloma virus, or HPV -- that can cause cervical cancer and genital warts.

At the time, conservatives expressed concern that schools would require the vaccine for enrollment. They argue that such mandates infringe on parents' rights and send a message that underage sex is OK.

If approved, the measure would go into effect for the next school year.

The vaccine was approved for females between ages 9 and 26. In studies, it was credited with preventing disease from the two types of HPV that are responsible for approximately 70 percent of all cervical cancers, according to Detroit television station WDIV.

The legislator who proposed the requirement noted that, as with all other school-required vaccines, parents may opt out of this requirement for medical, religious or philosophical reasons.

[dljordan]

"Personally, this vaccination makes me nervous. It seems like it has been rushed to market."

I wonder how much money was spread around and to who?

[Antoninus]

So we shouldn't do anything to mitigate the effects of ones that are common already?

Who said that? Go find that strawman and beat him senseless.

My opinion is the following: This vaccine is a quick-fix that does not address the underlying cause of the disease. Until we recognize that the lifestyle of casual sex promoted by our popular culture is evil and harmful, other STDs will arise. There is no vaccine against sin.

[Antoninus]

So you support a woman being punished for her husband's sin?

Point out where I said this?

If a woman has a husband who's a cheater, she's going to go through hell regardless of whether he gives her an STD or not. If you ask me, men who commit adultery and pass an STD to their wives should be put in jail.

[ahayes]

You refer to this as the "slut shot" and say that STDs are only caught through promiscuity. You say that there is no reason for a monogamous woman to get the shot. You say that making a vaccine to prevent HPV infection is messing with the natural order of things and that people should suffer the consequences of their sin. Put it all together--you oppose mitigating the possibly harmful effects of STDs because you think that STDs are an appropriate punishment for sin, and you oppose even taking steps that would protect a woman from infection while married. I see in your next post that you think that the pain a woman who's been cheated on feels is so bad even cancer on top of that doesn't make it worse. ??

[sandbar]

>>>It is transmitted through other means.

Do you truly believe that 30-50% of young women today would currently have HPV if not for the culture which says that casual sex is ok? Answer honestly.>>>

Who said anything about casual sex? We are talking about the possibility of contracting a virus that can be prevented. If I have a way for me or my child to prevent that possibility from happening, why the hell not?

[HungarianGypsy]

I am not familiar with this disease. It is obviously transmitted by promiscuity. Can it also be transmitted in (real) monogamous relations?

I have been wondering this. The commercials make it seem as if any woman can get this. Also, there are women who have gotten cervical cancer who were in monogomous relationships.

[Antoninus]

Put it all together--you oppose mitigating the possibly harmful effects of STDs because you think that STDs are an appropriate punishment for sin, and you oppose even taking steps that would protect a woman from infection while married.

I'll thank you for not putting words in my mouth. That's not what I said at all. If you interpret it that way, it's your problem, not mine.

For the especially dense, here's my opinion again in an nutshell: If you want to get this shot, fine. Be my guest. Just don't make it mandatory for EVERYONE to get it. That's nanny-statism at its worst. Furthermore, this vaccine does nothing to address the underlying issue which caused HPV to spread in the first place--a sick cultural fascination with casual sex.

As for the other stuff, I'm comforatable letting God decide what's an appropriate punishment for sin. I'm not in the habit of dictating to the Big Guy what He should do.

[ahayes]

That makes more sense. Perhaps it would be easier for people to determine what exactly you mean if you didn't throw terms like "slut shot" around.

[Antoninus]

We are talking about the possibility of contracting a virus that can be prevented. If I have a way for me or my child to prevent that possibility from happening, why the hell not?

As I've said numerous times, if you want the vaccine, knock yourself out. This thread is about making it MANDATORY. Do you favor that?

And furthermore, you didn't answer my question: Do you honestly think that 30-50% of young women in America would have contracted HPV in the first place if not for the cultural climate that validates and affirms casual sex?

[Antoninus]

That makes more sense. Perhaps it would be easier for people to determine what exactly you mean if you didn't throw terms like "slut shot" around.

I reckon in about 90% of the cases where the shot is sought, that's exactly what it will be. It was the same with AIDS. 10% of the victims were innocent and they were put up as the poster children to obscure the vile activities of the other 90%.

[sandbar]

>>>And furthermore, you didn't answer my question: Do you honestly think that 30-50% of young women in America would have contracted HPV in the first place if not for the cultural climate that validates and affirms casual sex?>>>

I think it's irrevelant.

[linda_22003]

Not when it's important, somehow, to decide if someone DESERVED it or not. ;)

[ahayes]

So far there have been two people on this thread who have relatives who were infected with HPV by a cheating husband, and one woman's infection progressed to terminal cancer.

Additionally, I suspect that your definition of "slut" is different that that of most here.

Using labels like that just makes you look like a nut.

[Antoninus]

I think it's irrevelant.

Of course you do. Of course, it's the absolute root of the problem.

[Antoninus]

So far there have been two people on this thread who have relatives who were infected with HPV by a cheating husband, and one woman's infection progressed to terminal cancer.

There are more than you think...

[Antoninus]

Using labels like that just makes you look like a nut.

I'm comfortable with that. If this discussion has helped one single lurker to abjure the culture of casual sex and seek to live as Christ called us to, it's well worth it.

[Antoninus]

Not when it's important, somehow, to decide if someone DESERVED it or not. ;)

Always attributing the worst motives to people, eh Linda? Is it possible that my reason for asking that question has more to do with convincing people that the casual sex lifestyle is harmful and can be deadly? Nah, 'cause that would require you to ascribe a motive of love, rather than hate. And as we all know, it's much easier to deride those you disagree with as haters.

[linda_22003]

All I have to go on is your posts, over a period of time. They speak for themselves.

[wagglebee]

Wow! I even agree with you for once. I've seen the idiotic commercials for this on TV and nowhere does it mention that this is about an STD. The ads have these 20-something year old women saying they want to tell their mothers about this, but if their mother is married to their father and has been in a monogamous marriage for 20 plus years there is no reason to get teh shot.

[wagglebee]

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If this happens, it won't be long before someone proposes mandatory contraception for teenage girls.