Cervical Cancer-Is It Preventable For Utah Women?

There is a vaccine that is being hailed as breakthrough for cervical cancer. It guards against the human papillomavirus infection which is the sole cause of cervical cancer. The U.S. is estimated to have 4,000 deaths each year from cervical cancer. The cost to treat this virus is estimated second only to HIV or human immunodeficient virus. Now Senator Bennett and Senator Hatch, is your chance to make a difference in the lives of the women whom you serve.
The Health Care Foundation of Great Kansas City has announced that it will help low-income girls and young women between the ages of 9-26 receive this new vaccine. “Missouri has become a national leader in preventing cervical cancer among its residents,” cited Mary Lou Jaramillo, a member of the board with Kansas City Health Care Foundation. Utah could be the next to catch the vision on helping girls and young women have a better chance of avoiding cervical cancer.
Opposition to this new vaccine has declared that the price of this vaccine is much too high for the average consumer. However when compared to the price of actually treating cervical cancer, $360-the total cost of the vaccine, does not look quite as high.
The opposition argues that this vaccine gives individuals a false notion of safety
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against cervical cancer. This vaccine will not replace routine pap smears and is not
considered as a sole preventative measure against cervical cancer. It is another step of prevention and not a cure. Lobbying for a bill that will enable the HPV vaccine to be enrolled as a routine vaccine would be an effective way of reaching the vaccine’s target audience because 73% of Utah’s children receive their needed vaccines.
A recent study found that more than 20 different HPV types are associated with cervical cancer, and because of this, an implementation of a cancer-prevention vaccine is extremely important. Cervical cancer destroys the lives of thousands of women in the state. It leaves children motherless and father’s widows. This vaccine will help individual families, communities, corporations, and in turn help build a healthier generation. A chance to help prevent this cruel disease is at your feet, Senator Bennett and Hatch.

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