Marsha Strang
Professor
English 1302
20 November 2014
A Mandate to Vaccinate
The human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most contracted sexually transmitted disease in the United States today. This disease is harming both men and women and it is estimated that 20 million are infected and an additional 6 million Americans will become infected each year. Initially there was only a two vaccines (Gardasil and Cervarix ) available to protect young women against major strands of the HPV virus, but we have since become more educated about HPV and are now using Gardasil (the same for young women)to protect our young men as well. Although the vaccine is widely available, many parents of young women and men have not taken the necessary steps to get the …show more content…
The most affected area is the cervix. It extends into the vagina and is located in the lower area of the uterus. Cervical cancer is the third most common cancer among all women and is becoming more common among younger women. Age 50 is the average age of diagnosis for this type of cancer, but it can affect women as young as 20 years of age. Studies have proven almost 50% of women have been infected at least once in their lifetime by age 50. Most infections go away within 1 to 2 years, but some persist for many years. Cervical cancer is most commonly caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), which is transmitted during sexual intercourse. In the United States, nearly 10,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer and 3,700 women die each year. The number of cases is much smaller in the US than in other country mainly because of the Pap test, a screening tool for cervical cancer that sexually active women should have annually. The American Cancer Society reports that, with early detection, cervical cancer is usually …show more content…
It’s estimated that 17,600 Americans will develop a cancer from contracting HPV each year. The vaccine can and will allow these numbers to be lowered if a mandate to vaccinate is put in place and if we educate parents and the young adults about this serious epidemic. This vaccine will not only prevent Americans from contracting and spreading this life threatening virus, but it is also helping to stop insure our children have a fighting chance against preventable cancers that kill thousands of Americans yearly.
Works Cited
“Human Papillomavirus (HPV).” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2009. Web. 23 Nov. 2014.
“HPV at a Glance.” Planned Parenthood. 2014. Web. 23 Nov. 2014.
“Human Papillomavirus.” Mayo Clinic. 2014. Web. 23 Nov. 2014.
“HPV/Genital Warts Health Center.” WebMD. 2014. Web. 23 Nov. 2014.
“HPV Vaccine Policies.” National Conference of State Legislature (NCSL). 2014. Web. 23 Nov.
Professor
English 1302
20 November 2014
A Mandate to Vaccinate
The human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most contracted sexually transmitted disease in the United States today. This disease is harming both men and women and it is estimated that 20 million are infected and an additional 6 million Americans will become infected each year. Initially there was only a two vaccines (Gardasil and Cervarix ) available to protect young women against major strands of the HPV virus, but we have since become more educated about HPV and are now using Gardasil (the same for young women)to protect our young men as well. Although the vaccine is widely available, many parents of young women and men have not taken the necessary steps to get the …show more content…
The most affected area is the cervix. It extends into the vagina and is located in the lower area of the uterus. Cervical cancer is the third most common cancer among all women and is becoming more common among younger women. Age 50 is the average age of diagnosis for this type of cancer, but it can affect women as young as 20 years of age. Studies have proven almost 50% of women have been infected at least once in their lifetime by age 50. Most infections go away within 1 to 2 years, but some persist for many years. Cervical cancer is most commonly caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), which is transmitted during sexual intercourse. In the United States, nearly 10,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer and 3,700 women die each year. The number of cases is much smaller in the US than in other country mainly because of the Pap test, a screening tool for cervical cancer that sexually active women should have annually. The American Cancer Society reports that, with early detection, cervical cancer is usually …show more content…
It’s estimated that 17,600 Americans will develop a cancer from contracting HPV each year. The vaccine can and will allow these numbers to be lowered if a mandate to vaccinate is put in place and if we educate parents and the young adults about this serious epidemic. This vaccine will not only prevent Americans from contracting and spreading this life threatening virus, but it is also helping to stop insure our children have a fighting chance against preventable cancers that kill thousands of Americans yearly.
Works Cited
“Human Papillomavirus (HPV).” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2009. Web. 23 Nov. 2014.
“HPV at a Glance.” Planned Parenthood. 2014. Web. 23 Nov. 2014.
“Human Papillomavirus.” Mayo Clinic. 2014. Web. 23 Nov. 2014.
“HPV/Genital Warts Health Center.” WebMD. 2014. Web. 23 Nov. 2014.
“HPV Vaccine Policies.” National Conference of State Legislature (NCSL). 2014. Web. 23 Nov.