Looking for Anyone Who Has Preteen-teenage Daughters

S.,
I wish we had these vaccines when we were teens. I have 2 daughters - 12 and 14. I presented both of them with the information and explained it to them and let them read up about HPV. They had questions which I answered age appropriately and that is when both of my girls made the decision to go ahead and get the vaccines. I encouraged them with many good reasons, but it was my daughters that made the informed decision.

I think the vaccine is an excellent source of HPV prevention. Our daughters could be virgins until they get married and then their husband gives them HPV unknowingly. It's not permission to have sex nor is it a way to prevent HPV while they are having sex. It is solely to protect against some strains of HPV hopefully preventing cervical cancers and not jeopardizing their opportunity to have children and/or a healthy future.
CS

Hi S.-

I don't have a daughter that is preteen, but I have had pre-cervical cancer along with my sister. We were both affected by HPV. Though we had different procedures done to remove it, it was still tough to go through. I also have a friend who had cervical cancer due to HPV as well. With that being said I've had experience in dealing with it. I would suggest talking with your daughter's doctor and getting all the fact before you make a decision that way you are well informed. I do have a 10 month old girl. I have every intention on her getting the shot when she's old enough. I don't want her to have to go through it. If I can prevent her from getting it, then I will. I hope this has helped.

I just survived my first battle with cervicle cancer, had all the procedures to remove it except the hysterectomy since it didnt travel to my uterus. HPV is not fun and is dangerous and i know that as soon as my nine year old daughter is old enough to get it she will. This whole episode has convinced me of that. Hope this is helpful. E.

Just wanted to offer one other point of view. It is hard to know who to trust and what stats to trust when a new vaccine comes out. I personally do not plan on getting it for a few years. I believe in giving it some time for it to be "tested" more in it's real world senerio. your daughter is only 10, maybe wait a couple of years? Just my opinion. Vaccines come out and then get recalled frequently due to negative side effects that were not known at its release. If you do decide to get it, I'm sure she will be fine, it is just something I think about. the first round of side effects seem minor, but what if more come about? It is so hard to know what to do, you want the best for your kids!
http://washingtontimes.com/business/20070202-###-###-####...

This is a hot topic in my home- you cannot get this type of cervical cancer without having sex!!!!! It is an STD. So when my kids doctor asked if I wanted my 11 yr old to get it, I said 'NO'. My doctor is the kind that if she doesn't agree- she'll tell you. If she truely believes it helps she tries to give it to you, she didn't. My 11 yr. old daughter isn't having sex, and she is taught that sex not only makes baies but can also give you STD's including cervical cancer. From what I have heard about the vaccine, it doesn't prevent all types. And what are the long-term problems/ benefits for getting this vaccine?

As far as I know, you can actually have the HPV virus, get over it and never have had any symptoms. It's possible that you or a family member may have had it and never known it. Not everyone develops cancer from it. I plan on making sure that both of my daughters are vaccinated for it when they are old enough. I have had 2 family members on my side and my mother in law who have all had hysterectomies (SP?) due to precancerous cervical changes.

But, always trust your gut on these things.

Good luck!

S.,
My daughter will be 10 in August. I wanted to get it immediately ... we have switched to non-toxic products in our home, but ... my husband wants to wait a year or two --- because many many times there are recalls on vaccines. Even the chicken pox was given incorrectly (our 19 yr old was caught up in that drama).
A friend of mine just emailed me this article from LA Times:
http://www.latimes.com/features/health/la-na-cancer14may1...

or the article by the US Health News Digest in February 2007 http://www.healthnewsdigest.com/news/Children_s_Health_20...

It's NOT just HPV to be concerned about when it comes to women.

S.
www.workathomeunited.com/S.

This was presented as an option for both of my daughters 19 & 12years old. When I looked into and and actually discussed it with both of their doctors, we learned that it is offered at the earlier ages in the hopes of protecting young girls before they become sexually active. I was told by both doctors to discuss it with my girls. It is a series that they can take up to age 24, so why rush it? My girls decided to wait and give it more time to see a bigger picture of the side effects. I say to get educated, talk to your daughters, and then weigh the risks to the benefits. Good Luck & Cheers!

I can't imagine a reason not to get it. The arguments against the vaccination center around encouraging sexual activity, but I doubt the knowledge that she's protected against HPV would seriously impact a teenage girl's decision on whether or not to have sex. I have known several women who contracted HPV while in committed relationships... it's so common now that a vaccination seems like a no-brainer. Just my opinion!

Just wanted to let you know that my 14yo Step-daughter is in the process of getting this vaccination. There are 3 shots to it given out ever 2 months. If you have her vaccinated for other things, why not this...this could make or break the gift of grandchildren someday. Although, if your daughter is only 10, I would wait a little longer. I am not sure if it is just here in Florida or a national thing, Legislature is working on making it a required vaccination for girls.

What more could I say.. I totally agree with Diane and Jennifer. Prevention is better then a cure.

Hi, S.. I have a daughter who will be 13 next month, and I will definitely get her the vaccination. The shot is new, which is why you never had it, but it might be something you want to think about. HPV is not genetic. It is an STD, and unfortunately it is VERY common. Many people get it and pass it on before they even know they have it. Most of the time, a person with HPV is symptom-free. Also, not all forms of cervical cancer are caused by HPV, but it is a major cause. None of us wants to admit that we or our daughters might contract an STD, but it is certainly a possibility in this day and age. You have the opportunity to protect your daughter from something. I think you should take advantage of it. Good luck to you.

S. i see you said you did some research on it but i wanted to let you know the other end of it and i noticed that you said no women in your family have ever gotten it but its also contracted through sex and by all means i dont think you 10 year old is having sex thats not what im saying but i've had cervical cancer twice once at 16 before i wasnt having sex so clearly sex isnt the ony way to get (mind you there is a history of women in my family who have had cervical cancer ovarian cancer uterin cancer etc.) but i got it again at 17 they weren't sure if i got it again or if it had just come back on its own but at 16 and again at 17 i was told i would never have kids (thank god clearly doctors arent always right) but i wish i had recieved this when i was younger and i know both of my daughters will recieve it you may want to think about the future and she is old enough to talk to about this subject maybe you could ask her what she thinks of it and if she thinks she would want it

I got cervical cancer when I was married and 24 years old. The ditsy nurse told me over the phone "we usually just do a hysterectomy and get it over with." Not at all the right thing to tell a young woman with no children. Lucklly I found a great cancer specialist and had it removed. 6 years and 2 children later - - get the vaccine! It need not be a discussion about sex with your daughter. People are making too much of this.