The Human Papilloma Virus, so-called HPV, is one of the most widespread sexually transmitted diseases in America, with more than 20 million infected now and more than 6 million new cases detected each year. It is estimated that at least 50 percent of all sexually active people will be infected during their lifetimes. And while the silent disease may cause no symptoms in most cases, two strains of HPV cause some 70 percent of all cervical cancer, which strikes more than 10,000 women in the United States alone each year. So it is with great fanfare than an HPV vaccine, tested around the world and approved by the US government in 2006, is being marketed. But controversy surrounds the vaccine, which is being recommended for girls as young as 9 and may be mandated by state governments. In this timely book, Shobha Krishnan, M.D., of Barnard College, Columbia University - a longtime gynecologist and family physician, and mother of a young daughter - explains in layterms both the disease and vaccine to parents, youths, men and women. She also addresses the controversy, legislative aims to require the vaccine, and another vaccine to hit the market this year. Krishnan also raises the issue of whether boys should get the vaccine. Coverage across the book is comprehensive and addresses both the pros and cons of anyone being innoculated.
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Editorial Reviews
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"Recommended for academic/medical libraries and comprehensive collections at public libraries....Gynecologist Krishnan (Barnard Coll. Heath Svcs., Columbia Univ.) provides admirable and balanced coverage of the controversy and science involved. She discusses her own decision to have her daughter vaccinated and whether or not she believes it promotes promiscuity."
–Library Journal Xpress online reviews
"This book is packed full of information. It should be a tool for parents and for health classes in high school, as to teach all teenagers the dangers of sexually transmitted diseases / infections and to also encourage both parents and teenagers to be open and honest in regards to their sexual activity. This book contains so much needed information, from the cause to the treatment, and also the vaccine itself. If I had a teenager, or a child in puberty I would definitely use this book as a learning tool. As a nurse, of course I find any writing related to Health care very beneficial, but that said, shouldn't all parents be informing their children not only the importance of abstinence but also some of the consequences that accompany their sexual urges? This book also delves into the vaccine aspects for both males and females. This book contains much needed information and also gives references and Internet resources. This book is easy for the layman to understand, and also contains a glossary."
–qualitybookreviews.wordpress.com
"A great book for anyone dealing with sexuality issues, as well as for the occasional lay reader who wants to know more detailed information about HPV and its vaccine. There is far too much information in this book for me to cover it all, but many college health providers will find the chapter on issues surrounding HPV infections in men to be unique and quite helpful. Many college health practitioners may not know the following: women actually get more anal cancer from HPV infections than men; an anal Pap test is available; visual inspection of the cervix with acetic acid techniques are being used in the developing world as a cost-effective alternative to Pap tests; the teenage cervix is the most vulnerable to HPV infections and other sexually transmitted diseases.' "
–Journal of American College Health
"...Krisham offers a well-written, easy- to- understand book that does a super job of providing timely, relevant information regarding human papilloma virus (HPV). Chapters treat transmission, effects on the human body, prevention, and how the virus causes cancer. The author both a gynecologist and family practice physician, does an outstanding job of explaining the controversy surrounding the vaccine, and has brought to light a rarely discussed issue: why males/boys are not mentioned in the vaccination plans, when according to the date cited HPV causes almost as many cancers in men as in women… this volume will be a very valuable acquisition for public, two- year community college, four year university/ college, and consumer health libraries."
–Choice
"Shobha Krishnan's The HPV Vaccine Controversy is a welcome and much-needed book authored at a critical time. . . . Krishnan's book does a masterful job of organizing the complex and expansive HPV literature into well-organized chapters. . . a superb book for any person who wants to be introduced to this fascinating field as well as for the more experienced clinician or health educator who wants to get a fresh and renewed perspective. . . . This is a much-needed reference source for parents who want more information and explanations before making the decision as to whether to give the vaccination to their children, as well as for concerned parents who have pressing questions and want full and detailed answers. . . . This book is a terrific contribution, and individuals involved in the HPV field should be grateful for its publication."
–JAMA
"The book is impressive in the vast area covered, the questions answered, and the controversies raised. The author provides an unbiased view and is honest about what we don't know. The key facts at the end of each chapter help identify the take-home points, and the glossary and figures help emphasize pertinent information. . . . This is good addition to the books explaining HPV. It attempts to provide a complete source of information without directing patients and parents to multiple sources and sites. It covers just about everything patients and parents want to know about HPV.' "
–Doody's Review Service
"Although this book is billed for lay people I am sure adolescent health physicians and nurses will also find it very useful. It is an excellent, precise summary of the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) and its role in cancer formation in the genital tract, and lays out the science behind the vaccine very simply and clearly. The author handles the advice on the role of sexual behaviour, infection and prevention in a very well balanced way and the FAQ section is very helpful, and even the men are included. I thoroughly recommend this book to everyone interested in sexual health especially as it relates to HPV. All clinics that see young people should have a copy of this brilliant book."
–International Association for Adolescent Health
Review
"Finally, there is a book that covers the often contentious debate surrounding HPV vaccinations for teenagers in a thorough and objective way. Leaving no stone unturned, The HPV Vaccine Controversy: Sex, Cancer, God, and Politics: A Guide for Parents, Women, Men, and Teenagers makes a compelling case for why teens should be vaccinated against one of the most widespread STIs in the population, and the only one that can cause cancer. Dr. Shobha S. Krishnan writes in a way that addresses the concerns of reluctant parents and even politicians alike. Kudos for a job well done."
(Toni Weschler, MPH
Author of Taking Charge of your Fertility and Cycle Savvy: The Smart Teen's Guide to the Mysteries of Her Body
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
HPV Vaccine, Decision-Making, and Women's Health,
This review is from: The HPV Vaccine Controversy: Sex, Cancer, God, and Politics: A Guide for Parents, Women, Men, and Teenagers (Hardcover)
If you care about your health, you must read this book. The HPV Vaccine Controversy: Sex, Cancer, God, and Politics. Shobha S. Krishnan, M.D. gives you practical, jargon-free information about one of the most widely spread sexually transmitted diseases--Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). Krishnan reported that "Over 50 percent of sexually active men and women will acquire genital HPV infection at some point in their lives."
If that doesn't wake you up, try these facts: You can carry HPV and never show any symptoms; HPV could cause embarrassing warts on hand, feet, and/or the area around your anus and genitals; and HPV "could lead to precancerous and cancerous lesions of the cervix, vulva, vagina, urethra, anus, penis, mouth, and throat." About 250,000 women die each year from cervical cancer. 99 percent of these cases originated with the HPV virus. But rather than frighten the reader with facts and statistics, Krishnan uses a conversational tone that provides information to make decisions about having an annual gynecological exam, gives parents assistance in deciding whether or not to have their daughters immunized, and leaves the reader feeling confidently informed of the nature of this virus and how she can protect herself from its effects. Krishnan includes charts, diagrams, and graphs to help the reader understand the points she makes. For example, in the chart, "Guidelines for the Management of Abnormal Pap Test Results," she defines and explains twelve possible results under the headings "What the report means." She explains the Pap test and how it can identify early stages of HPV and pre-cancer. She also cites research showing that among women who develop cervical cancer, "about 50 percent have never had a Pap test, and another 10 percent have not had a Pap test in the past five years." Because HPV sometimes clears up on its own and cervical cancer grows slowly, an annual Pap test helps doctors observe changes in the cervix and identify when these changes might be reason for concern. Men also need to read this book. Krishnan shows how in different cultures, men's sexual behavior predicts the incidence of women's cervical cancer better than the women's sexual behavior. To protect women from contracting HPV from men who often have no symptoms, Krishnan wants the reader to make an informed decision about the HPV vaccine. When it is administered to girls between the ages of 9 and 14 who are not yet sexually active, five-year studies show good results. She emphasizes that it will take twenty to thirty years before definitive statements can be made about the vaccine, so those willing to be vaccinated now will be pioneers in this research. Only 230 pages long, this book includes information on topics including sex, cancer, religious beliefs, politics, the emotional impact of the HPV diagnosis, and a case study of a woman in India whose experience provides a sobering reminder of important it is to take responsibility for ourselves. Krishnan also addresses the lack of testing and vaccinating in poorer countries and includes a glossary, references, notes, and a comprehensive index. by Susan Andrus for Story Circle Book Reviews reviewing books by, for, and about women
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great book for parent for parents AND physicians,
By
This review is from: The HPV Vaccine Controversy: Sex, Cancer, God, and Politics: A Guide for Parents, Women, Men, and Teenagers (Hardcover)
I am a parent of two daughters in their early twenties and one teenage son and found this book very useful in helping us determine whether or not to recommend this vaccination to our daughters. This book presented the facts in a clear, thorough, concise, and readable fashion. In fact, it read like a novel! Ms. Krishnan does a terrific job of covering the facts without 'lecturing'. She presents a great deal of information in a relatively short book. Krishnan also presents the information in a way that anyone reading this book will be able to comprehend.
I have recommended this book for our bookclub to read. My husband is a family physician and he has recommended the book to many patients and fellow physicians. This is good information to share. Thank you Dr. Krishnan for a comprehensive, insightful and interesting review of this controversial subject! By the way, our daughters have been vaccinated based on the information gleaned from this book.
2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The HPV Vaccine Controversy as a Reference,
By Brick ONeil "Writer" (Seattle, WA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The HPV Vaccine Controversy: Sex, Cancer, God, and Politics: A Guide for Parents, Women, Men, and Teenagers (Hardcover)
In The HPV Vaccine Controversy, Shobha Krishnan covers quite a bit of ground. At the very beginning, she reminds the reader that this book is a reference guide for Parents, Doctors and Teenagers. It's a dense read; one that is well-researched, well-presented and well-covered. The book covers three main areas: What HPV is, who it's for and what should be done about it.
In the first area, What HPV is, Shobha Krisnan devotes quite some time to discussing what the HPV virus is, what it isn't, its forms and what parents should be concerned about. The HPV virus, says Shobha, is widely and readily passes from person to person, in its many different forms, via sexual or nonsexual means. It may cause simple warts to cervical and anal cancer, and may come and go on its own or require surgical excision and therapy. Since some strains of HPV may cause cervical cancer, an outline of what cancers they may cause is vastly discussed and may be beyond the reach of the lay reader who is not familiar with medical terminology or issuance. The second area, who the HPV vaccine is for goes into quite a `sell'. What that means, is that an extraordinarily amount of the book is spent trying to persuade the reader (parents) why the vaccine is needed (and before their daughters are sexually active) in order for the vaccine to work properly. Since the main purpose of the book is to prevent cervical cancer via HPV vaccinations, there must be an explanation why parents need to vaccinate their young daughters when the outcome will not be seen for many decades. A point is brought up that boys should be vaccinated, as there is early proof that men infect others with the more serious strains of HPV virus that cause cervical and anal cancer. (So far, in the US, only Gardisil is approved for HPV vaccinations and only for girls and women up to age 26). The last area, what should be done about the HPV vaccine, is, more or less, a reiteration of the first parts of the book. International, developing and underdeveloped countries are touched upon, as cervical cancer rates are much higher than in developed countries. Doctors and health care workers 'in the field' ask that the vaccine cover more than just those HPV strains that lead to cervical and anal cancer and to bring the cost down to a dollar a shot, compared to the three-shot requirement of over $120 per shot. The book is a good resource and recommended for those parents and caregivers of young girls (and boys) who are concerned about HPV.
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targeted strains, cervical lining, getting cervical cancer, vulvar dysplasias, preventing cervical cancer, cervical screening programs, penile hygiene, cervical cancer rates, other barrier methods, entering sixth grade, anal cancer, cervical cancer cases, anal diseases, sexual debut, abnormal lesions, genital warts, penile cancer Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
United States, Vaccine Controversy, American Cancer Society, Parent's Dilemma, National Cancer Institute, The New, Global Front, Department of Health, Lee Moffitt Cancer Center, North America, Latin America, United Kingdom, Mexican American Browse Sample Pages:
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