Blocking cancer requires sound science, not politics
- From: J <nexsw@nvalid,anon>
- Date: Mon, 14 May 2007 08:25:44 -0400
Blocking cancer requires sound science, not politics
http://www.mercurynews.com/opinion/ci_5891602
Mercury News Editorial
Article Launched: 05/14/2007 01:33:35 AM PDT
As state lawmakers consider a bill that could eventually require all girls
to be vaccinated against the human papilloma virus, they should seek
answers to questions raised in a study published last week suggesting the
vaccine might be less effective in preventing cervical cancer than
previously believed.
But they must not allow the concerns raised about Merck's Gardasil, the
only HPV vaccine currently available, to derail the bill.
The current version of AB16 does not require an HPV vaccine. It sets up a
five-year review - which should be ample time - for all federally
recommended vaccines before the state can make them mandatory. Even then,
parents can choose to exempt their children.
The recent New England Journal of Medicine study of Gardasil found it
worked for girls and women who had never been exposed to HPV but declined
sharply among those previously exposed to strains of the virus through
sexual contact.
The study also followed subjects for just three years, leaving open the
question of long-term protection against cervical cancer, which kills
3,700 Americans a year.
The proposed review system would sort through the data on Gardasil and a
new HPV vaccine expected shortly.
Then the state could decide what to do based on sound science, not
legislative politics.
.
- Prev by Date: Re: Cancer and aspirin - Aspirin as Cancer Prevention Pill Still a Long Way Off
- Next by Date: OT: Looking for a word
- Previous by thread: Julian Tudor Hart coined the term inverse care law, which says those who most need health care are the least likely to get it.
- Next by thread: OT: Looking for a word
- Index(es):
Relevant Pages
|
