May 17, 2007 2 min read

As a Fayette County resident, healthcare professional, and mother of two daughters, I would like to commend the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for House Bill No. 845 regarding the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and Cervical Cancer Education, Immunization and Prevention Act. I have become extremely interested in the prevention of HPV in my current status as a master’s of science in nursing student via Drexel University.

As a class project to increase my own awareness of the political process, I am investigating and hoping to encourage our community’s awareness of the benefits of the HPV vaccine, the risks of HPV relative to cervical cancer and the advantages of eventual mandating of this vaccine.

I believe the House’s newly proposed HPV and Cervical Cancer Education Program through the Pennsylvania Department of Health, along with the Cervical Cancer Task Force, will present compelling recommendations to the Public Health and Welfare Committees of the House and Senate in November.

Bill No. 845 effectively states that in 2006, an estimated 9,710 new diagnoses of cervical cancer were made and more than 3,700 U.S. women died of it. The current vaccine is effective in protecting against the two types of HPV causing most of these cervical cancers. I believe with educational and financial support, Pennsylvania communities will realize that to support this vaccine is to decrease our children’s risk of one deadly cancer.

Parents of daughters within the CDC’s recommended vaccine age guidelines, preferably ages 11 to 12, but as early as age 9 (and up to 26) should discuss the vaccine with their healthcare provider. Many insurance carriers cover the vaccine and it is available through the Pennsylvania Vaccines for Children Program.

Carolyn Wachtel, R.N., B.S.N.

Uniontown