The Patient Advocate

A recent review of studies measuring the success of HPV immunization in reducing HPV infection, Genital Warts, and Cervical Intraepithelial shows a dramatic reduction in the instances precursors to cervical cancer in a wide range group of women from 13-29 years of age, as well as instances of genital warts among boys and young men. When a majority of population has been immunized, the virus is not able to propagate and be transmitted to the unvaccinated portion of the population.

Human Papillomavirus, better known as HPV, is a sexually transmitted infection that affects approximately 79 million mostly young Americans. In recent years, health care providers and researchers have led a concerted effort to stop the spread of HPV and for good reason – not only is HPV the most common infection among Americans, HPV infection causes several types of cancers, including cervical cancer, anal cancer, and cancers of the throat, base of the tongue and tonsils. According to the CDC, every year in the United States, HPV causes 33,700 cases of cancer in men and women.

Neither celebrity or character protect patients from medical malpractice. Note that this matter was settled privately and it is only because of hard working reporters that the public now has been informed. Since most serious cases are settled under confidentiality restrictions there is an ongoing silence about many careless acts resulting in many catastrophically injured patients.