The truth about HPV-Cervical Cancer link
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2 June 2008
The Reader’s Advocate
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Dear Sir/Madam:
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The “Everything I Can” campaign article by Merck Sharp & Dohne (MSD) to launch its cervical prevention advocacy, published in the guise of a news/features article in the PDI issue of 30 May 2008, was actually more of an advertisement to promote the use of its anti-HPV vaccines.
Although the article cited statistics on cervical cancer cases and a brief explanation on the Human Papillomavirus (HPV)-cervical cancer link, it falls short in informing the public, front-end, that specific strains of HPV that may cause cervical cancer are sexually transmitted, the risk of which is increased with early, casual and multi-partner sexual activity. As such, the most effective way to avoid contracting the virus is to abstain from sexual relations before marriage, and to remain faithful within marriage, and not just by vaccinating women and even their pre-adolescent and adolescent daughters, as being pushed by MSD.
Sincerely,
Marita F. Wasan
Executive Director
Pro-Life Philippines Foundation, Inc.
Good Shepherd Convent Compound
1043 Aurora Blvd., Quezon City
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