Survey: Women will support introduction of human papillomavirus vaccine

A majority of women who recently visited gynecology and adolescent medical clinics would be willing to receive a vaccine for human papillomavirus (HPV) for themselves and also for their children, both boys and girls, according to the results of a survey reported here at the Society of Gynecologic Oncologists’ 36th Annual Meeting on Women’s Cancer.

“Our study highlights the significance of education in terms of acceptance of a vaccine,” Dr. Diane C. Bodurka, of the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, said. Because an HPV vaccine is expected to be available in 5 to 10 years “it is important that parents are educated now and that this vaccine will be for both boys and girls–hopefully, preventing this disease around the world,” she said.For this study, Bodurka and her colleagues surveyed 200 women who visited gynecology and adolescent medical clinics at The University of Texas in Galveston, between February and December of 2004. Study participants were mothers with children between the ages of 8 and 14.Investigators provided the women with information on human papillomavirus, explaining the connection between this sexually transmitted disease and development of cervical cancer. They also highlighted the potential for the development of a vaccine designed to prevent human papillomavirus.The study revealed that 76% of participants were willing to take a vaccine themselves to prevent cervical cancer. Sixty-seven percent of the women who had daughters would allow their child to be vaccinated. Only slightly fewer mothers with sons were willing to have their sons receive the vaccine (64%).Bodurka’s team noted that women who would not accept the vaccine did so because they were not active sexually or because of a fear of unknown side effects. Also, some of the women did not believe that a vaccine would benefit their male children.”These results point to the importance of education for the vaccine to be accepted,” concluded Bodurka.(Source: Reuters Healt: Oncolink: M. Mary Conroy: March 2005.)