HEALTH LINE
Vaccine for Cancer
The vaccine works not only by increasing the number of immune soldiers, but by alarming them (while they’re in the blood) that the HPV attackers had landed on the cervical floor. Thus, the HPV antibodies rush to the outside surface wiping the HPV away!
Is there a vaccine for cancer? Yes.
What’s the first cancer that can be prevented by vaccination? Contrary to popular belief, it is not cervical cancer. It is liver cancer because of the Hepatitis B vaccination. Cervical cancer comes second and it can be prevented through a Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) immunization.
As I’ve discussed in my previous article “Virginity causes cancer?”, sexual penetration is not the only way for HPV to enter the body. Studies show that skin to skin genital contact is the common mode of contamination. So much so that early sexual activities e.g. torrid kissing and petting, in particular and Premarital Sex (includes defloration or sexual debut) in general can easily lead to HPV infection.
Sex at an Early Age
Having sex at an early age is a big risk factor for cervical cancer. A teen’s cervical floor linings (columnar epithelium) are straighter making it easy for HPV to cling and hard to remove. The Young Adult Fertility and Sexuality Survey among Filipinos (15 to 24 years old) shows that more and more young Pinoys and Pinays engage in premarital sex (PMS). Young women (20 percent of them) lost their virginity in high school days, Close to 13.5 percent after high school graduation (summer heat, maybe), and 13 percent were deflowered in college. Foreign study it is young not; but a local one. The Visayans join the deadly sexual thrill.
Places of Intercourse
The places of sexual acts are boarding houses, 4 percent; beach, 8 percent; hotels, 16 percent; own house, 14 percent; and sexual partner’s house or friend’s house, 48 percent. Although many of those sexual debuts are planned; still, there are those who were forced to have sex. Remember date-rapes?
Sexual Reflections
Now, let’s reflect on the findings of the Abma et al’s US Study on Teen Age Sex (Abma JC et al., Teenagers in the United States: Sexual Activity, Contraceptive Use, and Childbearing, 2002, Vital and Health Statistics, 2004, Series 23, No. 24.).
The study shows that 90 percent become pregnant within a year (no condom used). One of three teenage pregnancies end up in abortion. Low birth weight babies are abused, neglected, and often perform poorly in school. Some 13 percent of sons and 22 percent of daughters get imprisoned with 22 percent chance of being impregnated. Almost half of new cases of Sexually Transmitted Infections (HPV included) occur in 15- to 24-year-olds.
Raging Hormones
Blame it on media. Blame it on the Internet. But, with their raging biological sex hormones, the youths are united. Human Papilloma Virus’ Infection leading to cervical malignancy takes the front seat. It’s good to know that a cervical vaccine now exists and can be given to females as young as nine years of age. There are two types of cervical cancer vaccines available in the market. However, my bias goes to a certain vaccine not because of my being a member of the Speakers Bureau, but to the lack of inputs from the other vaccine group.
Vaccine: Quadrivalent or Bivalent?
The answer lies on the track record and results. A bivalent vaccine produces reliable outcome. It cross-reacts to give cross-protection against two other HPV strains. The secret is in the adjuvant (the ‘back-burner’ chemical turbo-charging anti-HPV antibody production) used. More than five years had passed and the antibodies produced by the bivalent vaccine remains steady compared to the declining soldiers produced by the quadrivalent one—compelling the latter to halt their ongoing study. All my family members including my sons’ girlfriends received the Bivalent Type.
How It Works
The vaccine works not only by increasing the number of immune soldiers, but by alarming them (while they’re in the blood) that the HPV attackers had landed on the cervical floor. Thus, the HPV antibodies rush to the outside surface wiping the HPV away!
Vaccinate Now
No more excuses. The price of vaccination against cervical cancer has dropped in the Philippines, from Php6,000 to a little more than Php2,000 per dose. One will be given three shots. The second shot is one month after the first shot and the last shot is on the sixth month.
Nobody Is Spared
Joey Albert has it. Evita Peron died of it. The latest celebrity victim is UK’s Reality TV star Jade Goody who succumbed to cervical cancer at the tender age of 27.
Save The Youth
The use of condom is not an assurance. Although non penetration is not a guarantee, still it is wiser to be “unpenetrated”. But for those who were “penetrated” and dumped (remember the senseless “Boys give love to gain sex; girls give sex to gain love” adage?); it is not a reason for girls to go wilder. It was not your fault. You are still pure in your own right. Experience is the best teacher. Yes, I admit, you are not pure, but only purer. And, of course, wiser! There is now a new accepted mode that will save you from lifetime impurity. It is called the ‘second virginity’.
Rejoice young lady!
(Our writer is a member of The Kapisanan ng Mga Brodkasters sa Pilipinas. You can catch Dr. Yap every Sunday morning at Bombo Good Morning Philippines 900 MHz, and Fridays at “Health Line” Wesfardell Budyong Kapihan TV Show simulcast with dyjj with Rexam Laguda. Saturdays at Pulso sang Banwa with Glenn Beup channel 5 Alto Cable 8 am. DYWB Bacolod Sundays 9:30 pm “Hutik sa Kagab ihon” Dr. Yap’s book “Joyful Life…& Sex? GO TO HEALTH!” is now available in all National Book Stores outlets nationwide.)
