Sherri Dmyterko: Dr. Joan Murphy is the Chair of the Task Force on Cervical Cancer Prevention and Control, set up by the society of Gynecologic Oncologists of Canada. The society helps promote research and raise awareness of gynecological cancers, and sets a standards of practice for treating them.
Dr. Joan Murphy: NACI is the National Advisory Council on Immunization, and the significance of this statement is that, their advise will now become a standard of care as regards HPV immunization in this country. We now call upon the ministries of health across the country to rapidly implement utilization of the vaccine based on this recommendation.
Sherri Dmyterko: The GOC says HPV vaccination will need to be combined with organized screening programs in a vaccine registry to combat Canada substantial burden due to the human papillomavirus.
HPV pass $300 million a year to the healthcare system and infects three and four Canadians at least once in their lifetime. On average, one woman dies of cervical cancer everyday. And four others are diagnosed with it. And although it's not well-known, Canada has one of the highest rates of Walther Cancer in the world, also linked to HPV.
Elise: I think it's fantastic to saying that medicine now has developed a vaccine to prevent cancer, not to cure cancer but to prevent cancer. I happened to be a mother of twin girls who are 14 who have not yet had sexual encounters to my knowledge, I am pretty sure of that. And I think that if they could benefit from that vaccine, it would be fantastic for their whole life.
Dr. Joan Murphy: For the time being, this new vaccine will not affect pass new screening recommendations. There are provincial, and territorial, and professional guidelines in place, that should continue to be followed for the present. We think that overtime, there will be some modifications, but these have to be based on experience and evidence.
Sherri Dmyterko: The GOC is strongly urging the Federal and Provincial Governments to work together to ensure that all girls and women have access to this HPV vaccine, no matter where they live in Canada and regardless of their financial situation. Sherri Dmyterko reporting.
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