I have known Mary, I think, for as long as I have lived…I think-so don’t get mad if it’s not true. She is one of my mom’s great friends, and one of mine as well. She has one of the funniest senses of humor, and just a great personality. Here she is….:
I should preface my comments by disclosing my age which I realize is well beyond the age group for which this website was designed. I am 55 and old enough to be your mother or even grandmother. This is important because I want you to know how lucky you are, living in a different, more modern society where formerly taboo subjects are not only open to discussion but encouraged.
When I was growing up, conversations regarding sex and all things related were limited to what was considered “proper”. It was an uncomfortable dialogue at best. Consequently, most young ladies of my generation - and prior generations - were deprived of important facts and information affecting their health and lives. The good news: those days are over!
The issue I would like to address today is the new vaccine which purportedly offers protection from the virus responsible for most cervical cancers. This is very exciting because it is the first vaccine ever designed to prevent a cancer, a very specific cancer that is often contracted by girls in their early years. In their futures, cervical cancer can affect a woman’s fertility and chances of raising a family. However, what concerns me most is even with treatment, cervical cancer is still a leading cause of cancer death in women. This new discovery can change everything!
It is recommended that inoculations begin at the ages of 11 to 12, before a girl is more likely to contract HPV (clinical term: human papillomavirus) which, as most of you probably know, spreads through sexual contact. As I understand, this particular vaccine blocks two cancer-causing types of HPV (types 16 and 18) by activating a girl’s immune system prior to exposure to HPV and before the first steps can begin. It allows for the highest antibody levels and the higher the antibody levels, the greater the protection. Also, according to experts, side effects are minimal. No one in clinical trials discontinued the vaccination series (3 doses over a 6 month period) because of side effects. What a wonderful breakthrough for all women!
I realize this is a very personal choice and definitely one that should be discussed with parents or guardians. Regardless of your decision, it is important you research the facts and, hopefully, find comfort in knowing such a valuable option exists.
I am extremely interested in your thoughts so please share with everyone on this terrific website. Congratulations and good luck to all!
With love and great affection for my wonderful friends, Maddie and Brianna.
Mary Leonard
4 responses so far ↓
1 Jamia // May 30, 2007 at 10:48 am
Thank you for posting about this life saving vaccine. I have many friends who have had experiences with HPV and sadly a few family and friends who have survived cervical cancer. One of my friends lost most of her cervix as a result… I am already talking to my doctor to try to get it. Thanks for posting.
2 MaryAnna // Jun 1, 2007 at 8:20 pm
On the other hand, three girls recently died from the having the HPV vaccine. It is a brand new vaccinne that is unproven. It was only studied for three years in a small number of girls, and none were as young as 9-11.
I will never allow my daughter to get this vaccine. It’s not needed and it’s not proven. AND one of the ingredients is Polysorbate 80, which was shown to cause infertility (unable to have babies) in mice. It could and probably will also do so in women.
If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is.
One mother’s two cents.
3 Allie Funk // Jun 3, 2007 at 2:56 pm
We as young women are incredibly fortunate to have access to the vaccine. I think that some people avoid the topic because of its sexual connotations but(as my doctor told me before I began the series of shots,) it doesn’t encourage teenage sex; rather, it protects young women so that they may someday have a safe, responsible sex life. Thank you for spreading awareness!
4 Mary Leonard // Jun 4, 2007 at 2:31 pm
Re: MaryAnna’s comments. I would like to know who and where the three deaths occured using this vaccine. I have looked for the info. and cannot find
anywhere.
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