Changes

The average age of diagnosis of cervical cancer is 48 years old. Accordingly, the effective cost is $13,000 per child to possibly protect her against a cancer over 30 years in the future. But the vaccine is not known to be effective for more than five years; most new vaccines are not effective any longer than that.

The average age of diagnosis of cervical cancer is 48 years old. Accordingly, the effective cost is $13,000 per child to possibly protect her against a cancer over 30 years in the future. But the vaccine is not known to be effective for more than five years; most new vaccines are not effective any longer than that.

A 100% effective means of protection against the same disease is freely available, and it is [[abstinence]]. Although HPV can be passed from mother to child during childbirth it is the mother's lack of abstinence that results in the infection in the child. The National Cancer Institute notes that "The surest way to eliminate risk for genital HPV infection is to refrain from any genital contact with another individual." <ref>National Cancer Institute:  Human Papillomaviruses and Cancer: Questions and Answers [http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Risk/HPV]</ref>   

A 100% effective means of protection against the same disease is freely available, and it is [[abstinence]]. The National Cancer Institute notes that "The surest way to eliminate risk for genital HPV infection is to refrain from any genital contact with another individual." <ref>National Cancer Institute:  Human Papillomaviruses and Cancer: Questions and Answers [http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Risk/HPV]</ref>   

Routine pap smears are an inexpensive and easy way to detect cervical cancer early so that it can be treated.<ref>MayoClinic.com:  Pap smear: Screening test for cervical cancer: Understand the importance of the Pap smear, including how it's done, what it means when it's abnormal and why it needs to be part of your regular health checkups. [http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/pap-smear/HQ01177]</ref>

Routine pap smears are an inexpensive and easy way to detect cervical cancer early so that it can be treated.<ref>MayoClinic.com:  Pap smear: Screening test for cervical cancer: Understand the importance of the Pap smear, including how it's done, what it means when it's abnormal and why it needs to be part of your regular health checkups. [http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/pap-smear/HQ01177]</ref>