One of the most controversial issues affecting the local, state, and especially the national government today is whether or not it would require all junior high kids with a shot called “cervical cancer vaccine”. This is because approximately ten thousand women annually are diagnosed with cervical cancer in the United States (Gostout, 2007). What is more alarming is that out of ten thousand, four thousand ends in death (Gostout, 2007). Cervical cancer presents itself in females who are rather young (Gostout, 2007). This consequently leads to infertility, or worse, death (Gostout, 2007). There were attempts made in the past to address the problem wherein the initial goal is to hamper the transmission or spread of Human papillomavirus or HPV, which is the virus responsible for cervical cancer (Mayo, 2007). Before, the most excellent techniques to prevent the emergence of cervical cancer are: to delay the first sexual encounter or utilization of condoms if coitus is really unavoidable; to limit sexual partners; and to stay away from the act of smoking (Mayo, 2007). However, these ways are not enough to prevent the emergence of cervical cancer in females.
Meanwhile, if people continue to oppose that all junior high girls be required of the shot technically referred to as the “cervical cancer vaccine”, the number of deaths caused by cervical cancer will continue to increase (Gostout, 2007). This is in addition to the fact that countless women will turn out to be infertile (Gostout, 2007). Also, the excruciating experience of: abnormal bleeding; unpleasant vaginal discharge; uneasiness/pain during sexual intercourse; and longer menstrual period associated with extremely heavy discharge (Cairo, 1998). The problem is that some parents do not want their junior high kids to be given a shot of the ‘cervical cancer vaccine’ simply because they believe it may encourage their children to engage in earlier sexual encounter or that their children may think that since they are now safe from the aforementioned cancer, they can now engage in sexual activities more often (Stein, 2005). However, such fears of parents may be easily addressed, for instance, by proper discipline from the parents and adequate education from the teachers.
The aforementioned are diminutive issues as compared with what the ‘cervical cancer vaccine’ may provide for their kids especially that it is at this stage that cervical cancer may begin to occur and that antibody levels are high, thus, protection is great as well (Gostout, 2007). The cervical cancer vaccine is advantageous because of the following: it will hamper future infertilities; it will prevent deaths; and it may help avoid cervical cancer and the pain associated with it like vaginal bleeding, painful intercourse etc (Cairo, 1998). On a final note, all Junior High kids should be required to be given a shot called the cervical cancer vaccine because it is during this period wherein antibody levels are high and thus protection is great as well, and also, it is during this time that the female will be confronted with the HPV (Gostout, 2007). Ultimately, it should be given to all junior high kids to avoid early emergence of cervical cancer, infertility, and, death (Gostout, 2007).
References
Cairo, E. (1998). Symptoms, Risk Factors and Effects of Cervical Cancer. Retrieved
September 9, 2007 from
http://www.public.asu.edu/~squiroga/cairo.HTM#3
Gostout, B. (2007). Cervical Cancer Vaccine: Who Needs it, How it Works and Who shouldbe Vaccinated. Retrieved September 9, 2007
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/cervical-cancer-vaccine/WO00120
Mayo Clinic. (2007). Cervical Cancer: Prevention. Retrieved September 9, 2007 from
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/cervical-cancer/DS00167/DSECTION=6
. Debate Rages on Use of Cervical Vaccine. Retrieved September 9, 2007
from
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2005/10/31/MNG2LFGJFT1.DTL
