Get Vaccinated €" but don't forget your doctor visits. A recent Study in the UK shows that there may be misconceptions about what getting vaccinated for HPV means.

What does the HPV Vaccine do?

Girls between the ages of 9 and 26 and boys between the ages of 9 and 26 are eligible to get the HPV vaccine, called Gardasil in the United States. For young men the vaccine protects against 90 % of the genital wart cases. For young women it also protects against two forms of HPV which cause 74% of cervical cancer cases as well as the two forms which case 90 % of genital warts cases. While this is a powerful tool in ensure the good health of teens and young people it is not the only thing that should be done.

Gardasil is the vaccine that is given to women to help protect against diseases that are caused by HPV (Human Papilloma Virus). Diseases such as cervical cancer, vulvar and vaginal cancer and genital warts are caused by the various types of HPV. Gardasil is given as a series of 3 injections. Please ask a Healthcare provider at Parkmed if you are a candidate for Gardasil. We are happy to provide you with the series of injections to guard against HPV related diseases.

What researchers found:

In a recent UK funded Cancer Screening Study by Oxford University it became clear that in some cases parental consent for their daughters to receive the vaccine was based on the mistaken idea that future pap smears would be unnecessary. There was also a profound lack of awareness about cervical screening amongst girls of vaccination age.

Dr Alison Clements, spokes women for the project said: "For informed decisions about HPV vaccination to be made, the provision of information about the ongoing need to attend cervical screening is imperative.€

€Our findings have the potential to improve information and educational materials for parents, eligible girls and health professionals. To ensure the uptake of cervical screening is not adversely affected, future invitations for screening will need to stress the importance of attendance regardless of whether the individual has had the HPV vaccination or not." Clements added.

So even if you have had the vaccine, make sure to see your OB/GYN on a regular basis for screenings and general sexual health issues. Make sure you have all the information and don't be lulled into a false sense of security because you have additional protection.