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Guarding against HPV presents limitations
The HPV vaccine, although effective, is costly and doesn't treat those who already have the infection
by Trevor Davis | News Reporter
The recently available human papillomavirus, or HPV, vaccine has some limitations, including the fact that extensive testing in women older than 26 has not been completed, and those women are often sexually active and might have been exposed to the virus already.
Gardasil has ignited a controversy because legislators in various states want to mandate the vaccine for young girls, which those who oppose the mandate say would bring the topic of sex into conversation at an early age. At local health centers, the vaccine's distribution comes with high prices and that aren't always covered by all insurance companies.
A study being conducted at the Women's Health Initiative at the Pacific Women's Health Center in Eugene is looking at a gel that may lead to a treatment for HPV in adults.
Jan Stafl, a doctor at the clinic, said the gel may "improve immunity" and suppress HPV when used during the early stages of infection. He said the gel has the potential to reduce visible signs of HPV, genital warts, and prevent cervical cancer.
Stafl said the gel is the first therapy for HPV patients that boosts the immune system and addresses patients who may not benefit from the vaccination, which is targeted at those who aren't sexually active.
"Once the lesions have occurred, the vaccine won't help," he said.
Current treatment for HPV patients calls for freezing the cervix or removing the lesion, Stafl said.
The gel isn't available on the market yet, but is in the last stage of testing before being approved by the Food and Drug Administration, Stafl said.
The 21-month clinical research study is taking place in Eugene and 29 other cities across the United States and Canada with women ages 18 to 40 who have received an abnormal Pap smear result or have been diagnosed with high-risk HPV.
Although a vaccine was approved by the FDA last year, the vaccine's price might still steer away some students.
At the University Health Center, lead nurse Jayne Carey said she has received positive feedback from students since the center started offering the vaccine last fall.
Gardasil has ignited a controversy because legislators in various states want to mandate the vaccine for young girls, which those who oppose the mandate say would bring the topic of sex into conversation at an early age. At local health centers, the vaccine's distribution comes with high prices and that aren't always covered by all insurance companies.
A study being conducted at the Women's Health Initiative at the Pacific Women's Health Center in Eugene is looking at a gel that may lead to a treatment for HPV in adults.
Jan Stafl, a doctor at the clinic, said the gel may "improve immunity" and suppress HPV when used during the early stages of infection. He said the gel has the potential to reduce visible signs of HPV, genital warts, and prevent cervical cancer.
Stafl said the gel is the first therapy for HPV patients that boosts the immune system and addresses patients who may not benefit from the vaccination, which is targeted at those who aren't sexually active.
"Once the lesions have occurred, the vaccine won't help," he said.
Current treatment for HPV patients calls for freezing the cervix or removing the lesion, Stafl said.
The gel isn't available on the market yet, but is in the last stage of testing before being approved by the Food and Drug Administration, Stafl said.
The 21-month clinical research study is taking place in Eugene and 29 other cities across the United States and Canada with women ages 18 to 40 who have received an abnormal Pap smear result or have been diagnosed with high-risk HPV.
Although a vaccine was approved by the FDA last year, the vaccine's price might still steer away some students.
At the University Health Center, lead nurse Jayne Carey said she has received positive feedback from students since the center started offering the vaccine last fall.
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