Girls entering the sixth grade in a Michigan public school next year would have to be vaccinated against cervical cancer under legislation backed by a bipartisan group of lawmakers.  The vaccine was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in June for use in girls and women and has been hailed as a breakthrough in cancer prevention.  It prevents infections from some strains of the sexually transmitted human papilloma virus (HPV), which can cause cervical cancer and genital warts.  A government advisory panel said that ideally, the vaccine should be given before girls become sexually active preferably before age 15.  The American Cancer Society estimates that cervical cancer will be diagnosed in 9,700 women nationwide, and that 3,700 will die.  Studies show that the vaccine can prevent from two types of HPV that are responsible for about 70 percent of all cervical cancers. 

This decision is causing quite a stir that is being turned into a political issue.  Religiously motivated Conservatives are viewing the mandate of this vaccine as a free pass for all sexually active teenagers to have unprotected sex without the risk of catching HPV and contracting cervical cancer.  Liberals like myself are all for this mandate on the grounds that it will prevent cervical cancer and the virus HPV.

I was listening to this debate on a local AM radio station this morning which sparked me to do a little bit of research so I can accurately write this post.  According to independent studies, 80 percent of all sexually active women will be infected by HPV by age 50.  In my opinion, anything we can do to stop the spread of this very dangerous virus needs to be orchestrated.  What better way to do this than by making it mandatory to enter public school.  I personally don't see where the opposers to this have a valid argument.  The children of these opposers will only thank them in the future for having them receive this potentially life-saving drug.