The blogosphere is an amazing community: many voices, many opinions, many experiences, all shared through the power of words. This means blogs can create a powerful online community spirit. It also has the ability to spring to life outside the Internet. We can use our online experiences to build a stronger local community, in our own lives, by sharing knowledge and information with one another.
For example, about a topic at the forefront of both the news, and our minds: HPV and its effects, and possible sources of prevention.
Have you written information, thoughts, opinions, personal stories, experience etc. about HPV, cervical cancer, HPV vaccines and related topics?
Are you considering writing about it? (Please do!)
Have you found a reliable resource that provided invaluable information for you about this topic?
I believe this is a topic worth researching and considering, and to do that, I think people should have easy access to as much information as they might want or need.
To that end, I'd like to feature links to more information about HPV and related topics in a blog post. I don't want to tell anyone what to think; rather, I'd like to link you to as much information and as many opinions and perspectives as possible so that you can decide what you think.
Many of us live in states that have taken away that right to think and decide for ourselves what the best medical decision is for us.
More states are on the block.
I believe being informed helps us care, and have a voice that is well-informed.
So.
I'd like to feature links to blogs that have discussed HPV related topics, particularly related to factual information about the virus, potential diseases from it, and the vaccine.
If you don't mind being linked, please send me a link to your story, with a short one to two line synopsis or teaser. Let's say the deadline is March 9.
I'll post up the link post the following week.
Thanks and I hope to have lots of participants!
P.S. I've read some excellent posts and I might be contacting you!
copyright 2007 Julie Pippert
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Tags: HPV and cervical cancer,HPV vaccine,Gardasil, Cervarix, Link list of blogs writing about HPV related topics
Comments
I participated in a telephone survey last month about the HPV vaccine, and I think that our health departments here in Canada have done a pretty good job about informing people with tv commercials, magazine adverts, etc.
Still, I could always learn more, so I'll definitely be visiting your links.
Sadly, I still don't think I know enough yet to post about it, so I won't be able to be one of your links.
I would love to contribute to your much needed blog. As a physician, author, and most of all a mother, I have researched HPV ad nauseum, as well as prayed as a parent!
My brother (an epidemiologist) and I published the book "Avoiding Cancer One Day At A Time" (Beavers Pond Press, Copyright 2007), and put extra emphasis on explaining this emotional and confusing topic.
In the blogs I have read I hear so many people who talk about how they wish they had received the HPV vaccine. For those of you who did not, and developed HPV I want to first make a comment, there is still hope! Solid credible research has demonstrated dietary factors can make a difference. Foods containing lutein/zeaxnthin, beta-cryptoxanthin, vitamin C, vitamin A,and lycopene, have all been shown to clear the HPV virus more quickly, giving it less chance to cause the inflammation that causes cancer. For those that find these phytochemical names and vitamins intimidating, visit www.ars.usda.gov/services/docs.htm?docid=9673. This site contains information about the phytochemical and vitamin content of many foods, and can help you choose cancer-fighting foods. A few studies have also shown that switching to sanitary napkins instead of tampons may help with the clearance of the virus.
Am I a total advocate of the HPV vaccine? It depends upon the situation. From an epidemiological standpoint, knowing that cervical cancer is the second most common cause of cancer worldwide in women, almost all cases are caused by HPV, and 70 percent of cases could be prevented by vaccination, I am an advocate. If I had a nine year old daughter would I request that she be vaccinated? I would probably request waiting a year until the vaccine had been "tested" on those at greater risk, to see if any thus far unseen side effects surfaced.
The subject of HPV is loaded with misunderstanding and emotions and I am so glad you are addressing this. Some people scoff, knowing that HPV is present in actually the majority of sexually active adults in the U.S. We need to remind people that only certain strains are responsible for the development of cancer: HPV 16 and HPV 18, as well as HPV 31,33,35,39,45,51,52,56,58,59,68,69 and perhaps others.
Most people who are infected with one of these strains NEVER develop cancer. Factors that raise the risk include smoking, having multiple children, or a damaged immune system.
How can we be safe?
-Have regular Pap smears even if you have been vaccinated
-Practice safe sex, use condoms
-Men do not have symptoms except for the rare case of penile or anal cancer. If you are in a new relationship questions you can ask are: has he ever been with a woman that had an abnormal PAP smear, needed a colposcopy, cryosurgery, LEAP procedure, or had cervical cancer?
-Being uncircumcised raises the risk of transmission of HPV, so women involved with uncircumcised men should practice extra prudence
Thanks again Julie!
Lynne Eldridge M.D.
Author, "Avoiding Cancer One Day At A Time"
http://avoidcancernow.com
I'll be looking forward to the compliation!