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Arguments Against HPV Vaccines

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According to the National Cancer Institute, not all human papillomaviruses (HPV) cause cancer. There are two types of categories; the low risk and high risk human papillomaviruses. If one contracts a high risk HPVs, they have a chance of developing cancer. High risk HPVs can lead to cervical cancer, anal cancer, oropharyngeal cancer, vaginal cancers, vulvar cancers, and penile cancers (1). The National Cancer Institute states that HPVs account for causing 5% of cancers and Nathan Seppa proclaims “that the two cancer-causing virus subtypes... HPV-16 and HPV-18, account for more than half of cervical cancers” (1 and 2). This demonstrates the overall impact HPV has on causing cancer.
High risk HPVs can lead to cancer, because the virus enters …show more content…

By limiting the number of sexual partners one has, getting vaccinated, and using condoms, one can significantly reduce his or chances of contracting a high risk HPV that can cause a cancer(1). A study in Australia has proved the effectiveness of the vaccine. Nathan Seppa in his article, “HPV vaccination proves its worth in Australia” states that, "Those who received all three shots were 54 percent as likely as unvaccinated women to have precancerous cervical growth and two-thirds as likely to have other abnormal cervical cell growth”(2). This demonstrates that there are steps people can take to prevent contracting HPV and in turn prevent cancers associated with certain HPVs. In addition, one can avoid some of the additional risk factors of HPV. The National Cancer Institute states that these include, “Smoking or chewing tobacco”, “Having a weakened immune system”, “Having many children”, ‘Long-term oral contraceptive use”, “Poor oral hygiene”, and “Chronic inflammation”(1). Overall, HPV can cause cancer, but there are steps one can take to avoid contracting the sexually transmitted disease and ultimately protecting themselves from getting a cancer associated with

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