Guarding against cervical cancer
With thoughts of the approaching Women’s Professional Development Conference in mind, about 50 Heidelberg men and women sat down to listen to health issues that affect everyone. 
Alumna and Trustee Dr. Susan Wolf, ’71, who is an OB/GYN in New York City, was the guest speaker during a brown-bag lunch discussion Thursday to talk about major health concerns for both young men and women. The focus of the talk was Human Papillomavirus (HPV), a known cause of cervical cancer. Dr. Wolf stressed the importance that all young women receive regular check-ups, and that all young men understand that the virus can affect them, too.
Alumna and Trustee Dr. Susan Wolf, ’71, who is an OB/GYN in New York City, was the guest speaker during a brown-bag lunch discussion Thursday to talk about major health concerns for both young men and women. The focus of the talk was Human Papillomavirus (HPV), a known cause of cervical cancer. Dr. Wolf stressed the importance that all young women receive regular check-ups, and that all young men understand that the virus can affect them, too.And, girls and women between the ages of 9 and 26 should be vaccinated against HPV, she told the students. She added that although the vaccine for HPV is relatively new, it has been proven to be 98-100 percent effective against HPV. She warns, however, to make the distinction – the vaccine can prevent cervical cancer, not cure it.
Nearly 4,000 women die annually from cervical cancer, Dr. Wolf said. HPV is implicated in 90 percent of cervical cancer cases, and can be found in 75 percent of sexually active men and women.
Dr. Wolf emphasized that the virus is a sexually transmitted one, and that men can also be carriers. While men will obviously not get cervical cancer, one type of the virus can cause respiratory complications, regardless of gender.
Heidelberg students can get vaccinated through Stoner Health Center if arrangements are made. The clinic carries limited supplies of the vaccine because of its high cost, but it could be made available to any student who asks.
Posted on Feb. 8, 2008