Parents ponder value of vaccination against cervical cancer

Canadian parents are asking themselves if they should rush out to obtain a new vaccination, not covered by medicare, to protect their daughters from cervical cancer.

The human papilloma virus (HPV) can lead to cervical cancer. The disease kills about 400 women in Canada each year, although rates are falling.

Health Canada has approved the vaccine Gardasil for protection against HPV and an advisory committee recommended it for girls as young as nine, before theybecome sexually active.

The vaccine can cost up to $600, and currently no province is picking up the tab.

The manufacturer of the vaccine has been lobbying for provinces to pay for the vaccine. The company is also paying women's groups in the U.S. and some professional groups such as theSociety of Gynecologic Oncologists of Canada to promote the product.

"We in the GOC are really trying to motivate the provinces and territories to the extent that we can, to implement this vaccine at a publicly funded level," said Dr. Joan Murphy of the society. "The benefits are tremendous."

Some experts said the promotional push for the vaccine is fuelling unnecessary anxiety for parents.

"They're convinced that they need to protect themselves against something," said Merrill Goozner, a drug company critic with the Center for Science in the Public Interest in Washington, D.C.

"If they would simply evaluate their real risk of contracting a disease, they might realize that you don't need to run right out today to get the protection."

In Texas on Friday, Gov. Rick Perry signed an order making it the first stateto require that schoolgirls be vaccinated against HPV. Some conservatives and parents' rights groups said they fear the requirementwould condone premarital sex and interfere with the way parents raise their children.

Parents decide

Some Canadian parents are thinking about vaccinating their girls. Charlene Turner of Toronto has three young daughters. Turner said she hopes the vaccine is paid for before they need it.

"I think it should be available for people who can afford it," said Turner. "Even those who can't afford it."

Cora Schneberger of Cochrane, Alta., is raising two preteen daughters.

"My daughter's nine and she knows a little bit about the birds and the bees," said Schneberger. "But to bring in the whole topic of STDs, she wouldn't understand it or want to go through it. I wouldn't put her through it."

Alberta is considering covering the cost, but the province's health department is waiting for a report on how practical the plan is before deciding.

Schneberger said she would decline the HPV vaccine even if the government covered the cost, focusing instead on raising her daughters to make the right choices.

It's not clear how long the vaccine provides protection.