To the editor: In 2009 I underwent a most cancers ordeal similar to that of Paul Thornton’s spouse. (“This cancer vaccine should spare future generations from ordeals like my wife’s,” Opinion, Dec. 28)
Mine started as a lump below my jawline that turned out to be the most important of a number of metastases from the bottom of my tongue. It was additionally attributable to the human papillomavirus, or HPV.
The remedy was brutal and mainly robbed me of a yr of life: no stable meals; ache, nausea and choking (this isn’t enjoyable). There are everlasting unwanted side effects to nerves, my tongue and salivary glands.
No matter what sure politicians might imagine, there’s a simple technique to stop all of this: the Gardasil and Cervarix vaccines. Administered earlier than a toddler dangers publicity by intercourse, they not solely defend in opposition to the ailments that Thornton’s spouse and I had, but additionally in opposition to cervical, vaginal, penile and anal cancers.
I contemplate myself lucky to have been handled by a few of L.A.’s most interesting physicians and with the cutting-edge know-how of the time. It was an enormous worth to pay for a lifetime of regular grownup habits, however I’m alive.
I urge mother and father to have their children vaccinated in opposition to this terrible scourge, as a result of, imagine me, you don’t want it.
David Reskin, Los Angeles
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To the editor: I used to be glad to learn Thornton’s piece sharing his spouse’s expertise and in regards to the vaccine that stops cancers attributable to the HPV virus. Like him, I fear a couple of vaccine skeptic heading the U.S. Division of Well being and Human Companies.
As a nurse practitioner, I see the implications of HPV in my observe. HPV may cause pre-cancers, requiring uncomfortable diagnostic and remedy procedures for sufferers. Generally, pre-cancers progress to most cancers.
Many have no idea that the speed of throat cancers attributable to HPV within the U.S. has surpassed the speed of cervical and different genital cancers. We’re lucky to have a protected vaccine that successfully prevents most pre-cancers and cancers attributable to HPV, sparing individuals the ordeals and anguish that include it.
I counsel my sufferers each day and extremely suggest the HPV vaccine.
Simone Cox, Rolling Hills Estates
