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HPV vaccine awareness returns to focus after Michael Douglas cancer claim HPV vaccine awareness returns to focus after Michael Douglas cancer claim
(4 months later)
Michael Douglas's revelation that HPV caused his throat cancer brought the virus into the spotlight this week. But in the US, overall public awareness of the human papilloma virus – and the existence of an effective vaccine against several major strains – is much dimmer.Michael Douglas's revelation that HPV caused his throat cancer brought the virus into the spotlight this week. But in the US, overall public awareness of the human papilloma virus – and the existence of an effective vaccine against several major strains – is much dimmer.
The last time the HPV vaccine was thrust into the public eye was during the 2012 Republican primary, when Michele Bachmann called the HPV vaccine a "very dangerous drug" that could lead to "mental retardation" – claims which were swiftly rebuffed by the medical community.The last time the HPV vaccine was thrust into the public eye was during the 2012 Republican primary, when Michele Bachmann called the HPV vaccine a "very dangerous drug" that could lead to "mental retardation" – claims which were swiftly rebuffed by the medical community.
The US Center for Disease Control (CDC) has recommended since 2006 that all adolescent girls be vaccinated against the virus – and has more recently expanded the call to boys. Yet inoculation has been slow to catch on.The US Center for Disease Control (CDC) has recommended since 2006 that all adolescent girls be vaccinated against the virus – and has more recently expanded the call to boys. Yet inoculation has been slow to catch on.
Now, researchers from the Yale Cancer Center have also found stark economic and racial discrepancies in awareness of the HPV vaccine in the US. They presented their findings on Monday, 4,800 miles west of Cannes, at the the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (Asco) in Chicago.Now, researchers from the Yale Cancer Center have also found stark economic and racial discrepancies in awareness of the HPV vaccine in the US. They presented their findings on Monday, 4,800 miles west of Cannes, at the the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (Asco) in Chicago.
"Race, insurance coverage and education were significantly associated with whether or not people were even aware that the HPV vaccine existed," said Dr Anees Chagpar of Yale's Comprehensive Cancer Center."Race, insurance coverage and education were significantly associated with whether or not people were even aware that the HPV vaccine existed," said Dr Anees Chagpar of Yale's Comprehensive Cancer Center.
"Our hypothesis is that if you haven't even heard of the HPV vaccine – let alone of the cancer risks behind the virus – you're certainly less likely to avail yourself of this preventative measure.""Our hypothesis is that if you haven't even heard of the HPV vaccine – let alone of the cancer risks behind the virus – you're certainly less likely to avail yourself of this preventative measure."
Chagpar and colleagues analyzed data from the 2010 National Health Interview Survey, a nationwide audit of 9,120 men and 10,946 women between the ages of 18 and 64, during which participants were asked whether they had "ever heard of HPV vaccines or shots?"Chagpar and colleagues analyzed data from the 2010 National Health Interview Survey, a nationwide audit of 9,120 men and 10,946 women between the ages of 18 and 64, during which participants were asked whether they had "ever heard of HPV vaccines or shots?"
The Yale team found that women were more often aware of the existence of the vaccine than men (68% of those surveyed versus 34% respectively) – perhaps unsurprising, as the HPV vaccine has so far been marketed primarily to women as a preventative measure against cervical cancer.The Yale team found that women were more often aware of the existence of the vaccine than men (68% of those surveyed versus 34% respectively) – perhaps unsurprising, as the HPV vaccine has so far been marketed primarily to women as a preventative measure against cervical cancer.
Being white, college-educated, and having private medical insurance most closely correlated with greatest awareness of the HPV vaccine. Being Hispanic, insured through Medicare or not insured at all and not having completed high school corresponded to lowest awareness.Being white, college-educated, and having private medical insurance most closely correlated with greatest awareness of the HPV vaccine. Being Hispanic, insured through Medicare or not insured at all and not having completed high school corresponded to lowest awareness.
Factors associated with HPV vaccine awarenessFactors associated with HPV vaccine awareness
"For us, such discrepancies, were really a call to action. We need to educate more people about the HPV vaccine because it is so successful at preventing cervical cancer [among others]," Chagpar said. "We can do better, particularly for those of minority racial status, those who aren't adequately insured and those with lower education status.""For us, such discrepancies, were really a call to action. We need to educate more people about the HPV vaccine because it is so successful at preventing cervical cancer [among others]," Chagpar said. "We can do better, particularly for those of minority racial status, those who aren't adequately insured and those with lower education status."
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