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A new vaccination to protect women against HPV, and ultimately cervical cancer, was recently approved by the Food and Drug Administration. Cervarix is a vaccine for the prevention of cervical cancers associated with two types of human papillomavirus, commonly known as genital warts.

Dr. Spencer Carlstone, a Family Physician at Pella Regional Health Center, says Cervarix is mostly comparable to Gardisil – the existing HPV vaccination offered to young women – and says expenses for the providers that offer the vaccines will likely determine which of the two they provide.

“It probably will be up to the doctor whether or not they offer the option between the two,” says Carlstone. “I have a feeling the expense for the clinics [that offer the vaccination] will make the decision on which one will actually be carried and therefore be the one option we have. I’m sure there will be a point where if a patient did research and wanted Cervarix that we could do that for them, but at this point I don’t see a lot of advantage yet.”

Dr. Carlstone says that Gardisil protects young women against four types of HPV, while Cervarix only prevents the two highest-risk cervical cancer viruses. Both vaccinations require three shots over a period of time. Carlstone adds that getting past the stigma that the vaccinations promote sexual promiscuity in young women is the greatest hurdle associated with what can otherwise be a life-saving health practice.