Vaccine against cancer

ON NOVEMBER 7, 2005, we introduced our readers to a revolutionary and soon-to-be-released vaccine that was found to be effective in preventing cancer of the cervix (mouth of the womb) almost 100 percent. It was eventually approved by the US FDA in late 2009 and widely available today.

In the United States, about 12,710 new cases of cervical cancer are  discovered each year, and about 4,290 of these women die of this malignancy. Altho much rarer, anal, oral, and penile cancers, like cervical cancer and cancer of the vagina and vulva, are caused by human papilloma virus (HPV).

The wonder vaccine is Gardasil (Merck) in the United States and the other one is Cervarix (GlaxoSmithKline) in Europe.

The vaccine is recommended for young girls (9-26) before they become sexually active. The objective is to prevent them from getting HPV and spreading the virus to future sexual partner(s).

Since boys are part of the health equation, the question is whether to give the vaccine to the boys of the same age, in order to completely break the cycle of HPV infection.

In view of new studies that suggest the vaccine might be effective for other forms of cancers, the idea of giving he shots to boys also became more attractive. The US FDA in December 2010 approved the vaccine for boys of the same age group. Actually, while it reduces the risk of developing non-cancerous genital warts, penile and anal cancers from HPV, these diseases are much rarer than cancer of the cervix among women. While the benefits for the girls are overwhelmingly clear, the uncertainty that the vaccine will be benefit their sons and the high cost of the vaccine are causing mothers to be reluctant to submit their sons to this vaccination campaign.

“If all we did was prevent genital warts, that would be cause for celebration,” said Dr. Joel Palefsky, an infectious disease specialist at the University of California, San Francisco. Indeed, that alone would be a great benefit.

It has been difficult to convince parents to have their daughters, much less their sons, to have the (almost $400) vaccine, but recent studies suggesting the same vaccine could protect against other forms of cancer, may change all that.

In December 2010, the US Food and Drug Administration gave approval for Gardasil for young men, ages 9-26, and expanded the list of indications (uses) for this drug.

The vaccine also protects HPV starins 16 and 18, which have been linked to cancer of the penis, anus and cancer of the throat and tonsils, which the virus can infect through oral sex. Annually, about 5,820 new cases of anal cancer are discovered, and 3,680 of them are in women.

In general, experts believe that Gardasil, which has been tested in thousands of children, is “as safe as any other vaccine.” But like other vaccines, it also carries some risk.

Unless we take advantage of the advances in medicine, we will never benefit from them. As always, it is best to discuss the issue with your physician, who can advise you appropriately on health matters.

Salmonella-tainted turkey

One person has been killed, 78 other sickened, and more than 30 hospitalized, in 26 States in the USA as of July 24, 2011 by a drug-resistant strain of Salmonella-contaminated ground turkey.

Cargill, a meat processing giant, has recalled 36 million pounds (about 16.36 million kilos) of this product sold since February 20, 2011, the third largest meat recall in history.

Some of the brand names listed include: Fit & Active, Giant Eagle, HEB, Honeysuckle White, Kroger, Safeway, Shady Brook Farms, and Spartan. The big retail stores carrying them are: Walmart, Aldi, Gian Eagle, Kroger, HEB, Ingles, Meijer, Winco and Satter Brothers.

The strain of Salmonella involved is resistant tetracycline, ampicillin and streptomycin, which complicates the treatment, many requiring in-hospital care.

Salmonella a very common germ is found in raw poultry products. This is a reality the public must understand and be conscious about.

While Salmonella is very dangerous and a potential killer, it is, fortunately, killed by cooking at an internal temperature of at least 165 degrees. Experts advise the use of a cooking thermometer to avoid guessing and a costly mistake.

Turkeys will be happy and celebrating this coming Thanksgiving Day, a holiday in the United States since 1789, which this year will fall on November 24th (fourth Thursday annually). People might opt for chicken this year in view of this Salmonella outbreak.

Purines bad for gout

About 4 percent of Americans, or 8.3 million, have gout. The increase in prevalence has been linked to metabolic syndrome (a group of health conditions: obesity, insulin resistance, and hypertension, and high cholesterol that may lead to heart attack, diabetes and premature death). The incidence more doubled in 30 years, from the 1960s to 1990s, possibly linked to people’s higher consumption of red meats, and alcohol.

Gout is an inflammation of the joints (arthritis) caused by deposits of uric acid crystals in the joints.

A common misconception is that gout only affects the joints of the toes. While 90 percent of this is true, 10 percent of gout affects the joints of the fingers, hand, knees, ankles, foot, elbow. Somehow, the spine appears to be resistant to gout formation.

About 20 percent of gout is genetic. Some medications, like diuretics (urine pills) and aspirin, contribute to gout. Diet high in purines (red meats, organ meats, legumes, shellfish, dairy products) also aggravates gout.

Beer and other alcoholic drinks increase uric acid level and induce gout inflammation and pains, which could be debilitating. Dehydration contributes to poor kidney function and increases uric acid level. Drinking plenty of water is good for everyone, especially for persons with gout. Other good foods for this condition are tofu, nuts, olive oil, and diet rich in complex carbohydrates (vegetables, fruits, whole grains) may reduce the symptoms of gout.

Weight control and anti-inflammatory medications prescribed by the physician may be added to the restrictions and recommendation above to control gouty arthritis.

Like dealing with most form of ailments, understanding, wisdom, and discipline are vital to their management.

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