CLEARING UP MISPERCEPTIONS ABOUT THE HPV VACCINE.

Byline: SEMHAR DEBESSAI

>LA.COM 

Mary Kelley was in her 50s and going through menopause when her gynecologist discovered lesions during a routine checkup.

It was the early stages of cervical cancer.

Kelley, a Bay Area resident, had her first Pap test more than 30 years ago and hadn't missed her regular gynecologist visit since. For her, that always included an annual Pap -- an especially important routine to follow once a woman becomes sexually active.

Kelley's Pap tests screened for precancerous abnormalities but didn't test specifically for HPV DNA. HPV, or human papillomavirus, is a virus that causes abnormal tissue growth such as warts and is often associated with some types of cancer.

It's unclear how long Kelley carried the infection before it caused her early-stage cervical cancer.

Although the HPV vaccine wasn't available when Kelley was a girl, she's pretty sure she would have gotten it if offered.

Now that the vaccine is available, debate has emerged about whether to require that young girls be vaccinated. Health practitioners say it's safe and 100 percent effective against some of the most dangerous strains of the virus, especially when administered just before puberty, before a girl becomes sexually active. Social conservatives, meanwhile, argue that immunizing teen girls could encourage sexual activity and give them a false sense that they're protected from other STDs.

As for Kelley, she said the pros outweigh the cons -- especially because cervical cancer strikes about 11,150 women a year and causes an estimated 3,670 deaths, according to the American Cancer Society. "I recommended (the vaccine) to all my nieces," she said. "There's no shame in this."

Regardless of whether you agree with vaccination, the reality is one in four women has HPV, according to a study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Not all of these women will show symptoms or be affected, but "it is a very prevalent sexually transmitted disease," said Dr. Arjang Naim, a Los Angeles-based OB-GYN.

With all the hype surrounding the vaccine, Naim said the false sense of security associated with getting it should be the primary concern of any patient or reluctant parent. "The only concern is that if someone gets vaccinated, they will be less concerned to protect themselves (during intercourse)," he said.

Aside from still having to worry about pregnancy and other STDs, women who receive the vaccine also must understand that it "doesn't cover all the (strands) of HPV," Naim warned, just the most prevalent four: 6, 11, 16 and 18.

We asked Naim to clear up some misconceptions about the vaccine and share some useful information:

Are there any harmful side effects from the HPV vaccine?

There are no current studies that show any side effects from the vaccine.

What, exactly, does the vaccine protect us against?

The vaccine only protects against (HPV) types 6, 11, 16 and 18. There are many other strands that could cause genital warts and cervical cancer, but these four are the most prevalent.

Who does the vaccine benefit the most?

Women who have not yet become sexually active. (Note: HPV can sometimes be passed through oral sex.)

What if you have been sexually active?

There is a high chance that you have been exposed to one of the HPV strands. If you are exposed to any one of the strands that the vaccine protects from, then the vaccine is useless.

Does a Pap test detect HPV?

No. A Pap tests only for cervical cancer and abnormal cells. A separate test for HPV must be administered if a Pap comes back abnormal. The results can then be negative or high- or low-risk positive. Almost 99 percent of abnormal Pap smears are caused by HPV.

So there is no way to know what strand of HPV you have?

A positive test will list a number of strands a patient may have but doesn't tell you exactly what type.

Can you be too young or too old to get the vaccine?

The general rule (as set by the makers of the vaccine) is as young as 12, and up to 35. But it is less about age and more about sexual activity and practices.

After the the initial series of three shots, do women need to come back again for another vaccination?

Right now, booster shots are not required for the HPV vaccine.

What else should women keep in mind?

There is no treatment or "cure" for the virus. You must get your yearly Pap test, with or without the vaccine.

Semhar Debessai, [phone]

[e-mail]