Hpv Vaccine?

[cheeryble]

My missus who works in a hospital says she can get HPV vaccine cheap via a pharmaceutical rep who comes to the hospital at 2200bt per go for three goes.

She has a lot of cancer in the family.

I had a quick look and it seems the odds of cancer are very low and a regular smear will often pre-empt it anyway.

It seems most just clears up, 100% in men after 18 months, 95% in women after 18 months.

I was rather surprised to see it recommended by the WHO.

Is it a good idea.....or is it overkill?

ps: I see men can take it too.

Is it good for the goose and the gander?

pps: if it's a good idea, is the price indeed cheap or not?

Edited April 26, 2013 by cheeryble

[Sheryl]

It can prevent something like 70% of cervical cancers.

Pap smears do not "pre-empt" cervical cancer, just detect it. And most Thai women don't get them.

Even when detected early, the costs and risks of the necessary treatment far outweigh the risks associated with the vaccine. Hence the recommendation. It will also prevent most vaginal and vulvar cancers.

It is recommended for some male populations as it can prevent anal cancer and also genital warts. In addition, of course, it can prevent them from spreading HPV to their female partners. It is especially recopmmended for gay men and men with any sort of impairment of the immune system.

It was originally recommended to be given before the age of 25. New studies have shown effectiveness in women up to age 45. Note that it will only prevent new infection and not do anything for a current one nor for any cervical dysplasia already present as a result of prior infections.

The price mentioned is a bit lower than the going rate at a hospital. I seem to remember something like 9,000 baht for my niece at a small mid range private hospital.

[cheeryble]

Sorry Sheryl when I said a pap smear would likely pre-empt a cancer I meant that regular check ups showing a positive pap smear would bring about treatment that would likely pre-empt a true cancer....but I may have been speaking in ignorance. Is that actually so?

I must say i'm amazed.

Although my wife works at a hospital in a responsible position she just told me she has never had a pap smear.

Why? Embarrassment!!

Anyway she gets checkups and free treatment with the job and if i can persuade her all that will change.

Anyway thanks for your input as usual I'm sure you give good info.

I shall look further through the rather convoluted literature.

From what i saw I was rather horrified at the facts of so many people having HPV on their hands and under their nails!....but mollified that after 18 months 97% of women are free of infection and 100% of men.

Edited April 26, 2013 by cheeryble

[CaptHaddock]

Not to overlook the obvious, HPV is incurable. Why would you not want to take a vaccine that is effective in preventing an incurable disease?

[cheeryble]

Not to overlook the obvious, HPV is incurable. Why would you not want to take a vaccine that is effective in preventing an incurable disease?

Why not?

If the possible downside risks were greater than the upside risks.

That's what I'm trying to discover.

ps: somewhat misleading also given the very high natural clear up rates.

[CaptHaddock]

Not to overlook the obvious, HPV is incurable. Why would you not want to take a vaccine that is effective in preventing an incurable disease?

Why not?

If the possible downside risks were greater than the upside risks.

That's what I'm trying to discover.

ps: somewhat misleading also given the very high natural clear up rates.

I could be wrong, but as far as I know, once infected the virus always remains present. The warts themselves may go away, but they may also come back since the virus is still there.

[Sheryl]

Not to overlook the obvious, HPV is incurable. Why would you not want to take a vaccine that is effective in preventing an incurable disease?

Why not?

If the possible downside risks were greater than the upside risks.

That's what I'm trying to discover.

ps: somewhat misleading also given the very high natural clear up rates.

I could be wrong, but as far as I know, once infected the virus always remains present. The warts themselves may go away, but they may also come back since the virus is still there.

I think you are confusing this with the herpes virus.

HPV is completely cleared by the immune system in a majority of instances. However in a minority of people it remains present and leads to serious complications, including cancer.

The risks of such HPV complications are far greater than the risks of the vaccine in people at average or greater than average risk. For people at low risk, probably not. Low risk would for example be people in a monogamous relationship neither of whom have the virus.

[cheeryble]

Thankyou Sheryl

Your last sentence about risk level is important.

As we have been a couple for five years it looks like there's all but no risk.

[chiangmaibruce]

Another issue not mentioned thus far is that there are two different vaccines. One is Gardasil and I have forgotten the name of the other one. When my wife was tested and offered the vaccine/s in Chiang Mai there was some difference/s mentioned b/w the two vaccines. It's a while ago now and I don't remember the details, just that it was discussed with her and she made the decision. I do remember though that they subsequently gave her the other vaccine by mistake!

[cheeryble]

Another issue not mentioned thus far is that there are two different vaccines. One is Gardasil and I have forgotten the name of the other one. When my wife was tested and offered the vaccine/s in Chiang Mai there was some difference/s mentioned b/w the two vaccines. It's a while ago now and I don't remember the details, just that it was discussed with her and she made the decision. I do remember though that they subsequently gave her the other vaccine by mistake!

Ha-ha!

Which one of you is going to be "playing away"?

[thailandbeachisland]

Another issue not mentioned thus far is that there are two different vaccines. One is Gardasil and I have forgotten the name of the other one. When my wife was tested and offered the vaccine/s in Chiang Mai there was some difference/s mentioned b/w the two vaccines. It's a while ago now and I don't remember the details, just that it was discussed with her and she made the decision. I do remember though that they subsequently gave her the other vaccine by mistake!

The other one is Cervarix and it seems that it is more available in Thailand than Gardasil.

Maybe this lab knows how to "convince" doctors with the correct amount...

[TerryLH]

"The price mentioned is a bit lower than the going rate at a hospital. I seem to remember something like 9,000 baht for my niece at a small mid range private hospital."

9900 is just a bit lower than 2200? Kudos to your pension planning.

Are those per shot costs, or for the series? I remember it's more than one shot, but not if it's 2 or 3.

Just reread OP. That's 2200 x 3 = 6600.

If the 9000 is for the series, I guess it makes sense.

Terry

Edited March 28, 2014 by TerryLH

[newbie0001]

It can prevent something like 70% of cervical cancers.

Pap smears do not "pre-empt" cervical cancer, just detect it. And most Thai women don't get them.

Even when detected early, the costs and risks of the necessary treatment far outweigh the risks associated with the vaccine. Hence the recommendation. It will also prevent most vaginal and vulvar cancers.

It is recommended for some male populations as it can prevent anal cancer and also genital warts. In addition, of course, it can prevent them from spreading HPV to their female partners. It is especially recopmmended for gay men and men with any sort of impairment of the immune system.

It was originally recommended to be given before the age of 25. New studies have shown effectiveness in women up to age 45. Note that it will only prevent new infection and not do anything for a current one nor for any cervical dysplasia already present as a result of prior infections.

The price mentioned is a bit lower than the going rate at a hospital. I seem to remember something like 9,000 baht for my niece at a small mid range private hospital.

"small mid range private hospital" -> what is the name of this hospital and location? is it for Gardasil or Cervarix?

[Sheryl]

It was Chao Phya Hospital in the Pinkl;ao area of Bkk, and that price was several years back.

But there are plenty of other hospitals similar to that one.

Don't remember which one but I think Gardasil.