You’ve probably seen the commercials challenging women of all ages to become “one less” to battle a cancer caused by a sexually transmitted disease.

These commercials are appealing to women everywhere on behalf of a vaccine that will battle the disease for them.

And it’s true, says Christy Hamilton, the sexuality education coordinator of the Student Wellness Center. In fact, more than half of all sexually active people will acquire human papillomavirus infection at some point in their lives.

Although the more than 30 types of HPV will go away without the person ever knowing he or she had it, some cases lead to cancer, the country’s No. 2 killer after heart disease.

Human papillomavirus infection – better known as HPV – is a sexually transmitted disease spread by skin-to-skin contact and is caused by a group of viruses called human papillomavirus.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Web site, approximately 20 million people are infected with HPV, with about 6.2 million Americans contracting the infection each year.

Low-risk forms can cause mild Pap smear abnormalities or genital warts.

However, strains of high-risk HPV can prove to be deadly.

Such strains have been linked to cervical cancer and more rare cases have produced vulval, vaginal, penile and anal cancer.

In response to this discovery, New Jersey-based pharmaceutical company Merck ‘ Co. in June released Gardasil, a vaccine that defends against HPV. The vaccine is available at SIUC’s Student Health Center.

According to the product’s label, Gardasil prevents four types of HPV, two of which cause about 70 percent of cervical cancer and two others that cause about 90 percent of genital warts.

Although genital warts are not generally a recurring infection, they have been known to lay dormant and show up weeks, months or years after the initial infection.

HPV can be unwittingly spread while in its dormant state, and in some cases, it is difficult to trace. According to the CDC, the body’s immune system is the best defense against HPV, and diseases such as HIV that lower immunity can increase a person’s risk for the infection.

“An illness such as HIV acquired later can cause HPV to show up,” Hamilton said.

HPV is not considered a reportable disease, and cases are not disclosed to health departments. Statistics on how common HPV is in the area are not available.

Who is at Risk for HPV and How is it Diagnosed?

According to the CDC Web site, more than half of sexually active people in the United States will contract HPV. Of those cases, genital warts will only occur in one percent of those infected.

Women can be diagnosed through Pap tests, and blood analyses are available to detect HPV DNA in women.

Currently, the only strains of HPV identifiable in men are those that cause genital warts, which is identified by a visual inspection. No tests exist to detect potentially cancerous types of HPV in men.

Although HPV can be detected in women and sometimes detected in men, doctors cannot treat HPV once the infection manifests because no cure exists. Only the symptoms – genital warts and cancer – can be treated.

Preemptive strike

The vaccine is given in three doses. The first is administered at a time chosen by the patient, the second is given two months after the first, and the third is given four months after the second dose. It may be given at the same time as other vaccinations.

The vaccine is recommended for girls ages 11 to 12 but has been administered to girls as young as age 9. A catch-up vaccination has also been recommended by CDC for women ages 13 to 26 who did not receive the vaccine when they were younger.

The vaccine is recommended for younger girls because it is most effective when given to those who are not yet sexually active. Recipients will only receive full benefits of the vaccine if they have not yet acquired any of the four types of HPV it covers.

Gardasil is available at the Student Health Center for $132 per shot, said Barb Bigogno, an administrative nurse at the Student Health Center.

“If you meet the criteria and the guidelines, you don’t have to have an order from your physician,” Bigogno said. “It’s something you can just come in to health services and get.”

HPV testing is not necessary before receiving the vaccine because tests can detect HPV but cannot distinguish between the different strains.

Research is under way to determine if the vaccine would be beneficial to males by preventing genital warts and rare cancers. CDC researchers also believe it may be indirectly beneficial to women by helping to corral the spread of HPV.

“I definitely think that (vaccinating in men) is the next thing we’re going to see,” Hamilton said. “They haven’t approved it for men because they’ve focused their clinical testing on females because of the effect of cervical cancer.”

Vaccination is not the only defense, Hamilton said.

Condom use is shown to reduce a person’s likelihood of contracting HPV, but is not a foolproof method.

“Obviously it’s not a perfect method because using any kind of latex barrier can only cover so much skin,” Hamilton said.

Monogamous relationships can also lower a person’s risk for contracting HPV, especially if both partners know they do not have the infection.

But, Hamilton said, abstaining from sex is the only way to be 100 percent sure a person will not acquire HPV.

“The only things we know of are vaccine, consistent condom use, or abstinence of any sexual activity,” Hamilton said. “Of course, abstinence may mean different things to different people.”

Possible setbacks

CDC’s Web site lists the retail price of Gardasil as $120 per shot. The site stated that some but not all insurance companies cover the vaccine. There is often a short lag between recommendation of a vaccine and availability and coverage through health plans, according to the CDC.

SIUC’s self-administered health insurance plan does not cover vaccines, said Jim Hunsaker, an insurance administrator for the university system.

“However, it is something we are taking under advisement because of the popularity of the vaccine at this point,” Hunsaker said.

Hunsaker said local obstetrician and gynecologist offices have contacted SIUC asking if the vaccine would be covered under the university’s plan.

Including the vaccine would require a revision of the insurance plan approved by the Board of Trustees.

“It actually hasn’t been presented yet due to the fact that we have a lot of other things as far as getting our new insurance processing system up and running,” Hunsaker said. “Now that we have the system up and running, we’ll be looking at any changes we’ll need to suggest for our plan.”

Hunsaker said no timeline is set for the changes.

Charles Clemens, the medical chief of staff at the Student Health Center, said the only factor people need to consider before getting the vaccine is price.

“However, if one would happen to get cancer of the cervix, that would be a very expensive thing to treat,” Clemens said.

Clemens said people may consult their physician before getting the vaccine if they wish, but a consultation is not required. All possible side effects are explained before the procedure is administered.

“We are strongly encouraging all students to consider getting the vaccine, and we try to discuss it with them when they come in for their routine pap smears, but the cost is a drawback for some people,” Clemens said.

Sarah Lohman can be reached at 536-3311 ext. 255 or [email protected].