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MICHIGAN WOMEN'S HEALTH
Specialized care for special patients. St. Joseph Mercy Oakland offers a wide range of services, from mammography scans to stroke care to OBGYN screening tests, dedicated to improving the health of women in Detroit and throughout Michigan.
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CLICK HERE FOR A FREE COPY
OF THE MEDICAL REPORT
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William Jewell, Jr., MD
St. Joseph Mercy Oakland
OB/GYN
View Profile
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THE FACTS ABOUT HPV Vaccine
Background
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a common virus that can lead to cervical cancer, vulvar cancer, and genital warts. Thanks to a new vaccine called GARDASIL®, women can now protect themselves from certain types of this potentially dangerous disease.
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Podcast Posted: 05/30/2008
Duration:
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“As the first vaccine designed to prevent cancer, GARDASIL is a major medical breakthrough,” says William Jewell, MD. “In keeping with our commitment to women’s health, St. Joseph Mercy Oakland is excited to be able to provide this vaccine to the women in our community.”
Often absent of any symptoms, many women do not even know they have the disease. Additionally, HPV spreads very easily.
With the new HPV vaccine, women are now protected against: 1) HPV – Types 16/18 (which causes about 70 percent of cervical cancers); and 2) HPV – Types 6/11 (which causes about 90 percent of genital warts). According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), studies have shown the vaccine to be nearly 100 percent effective against these four types of HPV.
The FDA has approved the vaccine for girls and women ages 9-26. It is administered through a series of three shots over a six-month period.
Women are urged to get vaccinated before becoming sexually active. Women who are already sexually active may also benefit from the vaccine. Current studies are underway to determine how long protection against HPV lasts, and whether a booster shot will be necessary.
Since there are dozens of different types of HPV, it is important that women continue to receive regular Pap tests, even after getting the vaccine. Pap tests can find abnormal cell changes in the cervix before they turn into cancer. The test can also detect cervical cancer much earlier, when it’s most treatable.
Please call the SJMO physician referral line at 800.372.6094 to find an SJMO OB/GYN near you.
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