First vaccine to prevent uterine cancer now available on the Island

Dr. Josée Lefebvre, assisted by nurse Nancy Dubois, will be meeting with patients to inform them and provide them with the vaccine at the medical clinic, on June 9.

The vaccine, which has to be given in three doses, is most effective on young females 9 to 26 years old. "Ideally, girls would receive the vaccine before they begin to have sex," explains André Audy, director general of the Island clinic, who reminds our readers that teenagers are starting to have sex at a younger age these days.

"Since February of 2007, the national immunization advisory committee has recommended the systematic vaccination of young women," elaborates Ms. Audy.

At $200 a dose, it's obvious that the vaccine is not accessible to everyone. However, those that are in the position to spend the required $600 will be protecting themselves against uterine cancer, the second most deadly cancer to women after breast cancer.

Aside from uterine cancer, HPV is also the culprit responsible for vaginal cancer, anal, and vulvar cancer. It's also responsible for the appearance of genital warts.

"It's a dormant virus and many people don't even know that they have it. It's a virus that can be asymptomatic for 20 years and can then develop into uterine cancer, and hence why it's important to have a Pap test each year," Ms. Audy explains.

It's important to note that HPV can even be spread during "safe" intercourse with a condom. There is no other form of prevention at the moment against this virus than the vaccine.

Still hard to find, the vaccine is available in a few places in Quebec, one of them being L'Ile-des-Soeurs.

Pap tests can offer patients and their doctors much needed information. The second dose of the vaccine will be given in July and the third, four to six months later. Parents who are interested in making an appointment for their young daughter, or young women interested in finding out more, can call 767-2863 and talk to Ms. Dubois.