D e c e m b e r 2 011
Community News
Ka ‘Ohana
WINDWARD COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Important dates to remember: Textbook Buyback WCC Bookstore Monday - Tuesday 12/12/2011 - 12/13/2011 8:30 am - 3:30 pm Wednesday 12/14/2011 8:30 am - 5:00 pm Thursday - Friday 12/15/2011 - 12/16/2011 8:30 am- 3:30 pm
December: 12 a ‘Ohana Available
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EXAM PERIOD BEGINS Stargazing 7 p.m., Imaginarium
End of fall semester Star of Bethlehem: The Magi’s 7 p.m., Imaginarium
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Star of Bethlehem: The Magi’s 10 a.m. & 7 p.m., Imaginarium
HPV vaccine for pre-teen boys by Katherine Palmer Ka ‘Ohana Staff Reporter
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ince 2006, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) has recommended preteen girls be offered a vaccine to protect themselves against the human papilloma virus (HPV). According to the CDC, the sexually transmitted virus is the leading cause of up to 75 percent of cervical cancers and genital warts. Recently, the CDC has recommended boys of ages 11 and 12 to be vaccinated against HPV as well, in an effort to prevent the spread of the virus to girls. The CDC reports HPV to be the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States, affecting 20 million men and women, with up to 6 million more becoming infected each year. Also, to date, only 32 percent of females between the ages of 9 and 26 have been vaccinated against the disease. Supporters of the vaccine being offered to preteen males cite reports that reducing HPV in males may significantly reduce transmis-
Christmas Holiday
January 2012 1-3
New Years Holiday
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Campus Closed
Frosh Camp Day - 1 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Hale ‘Akoakoa
Frosh Camp Day - 2 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Hale ‘Akoaka
First Day of Instruction
ASUH-WCC Presents “Welcome Back Remix” 11 a.m. - 2 p.m., Hale Na‘auao
soon,” said Denise Baez, a medical assistant and mother of three. “My daughter and other son will get them as soon as they are old enough.” HPV is t ra n sm it ted through anal and vaginal sex as well as genital-to-genital contact. Therefore, condoms reduce the spread of HPV, but don’t provide 100 percent protection—abstinence does. The virus often has no symptoms, which is why so many men and women spread the disease without knowing they have it. Also, in 90 percent of cases the body’s immune system will clear the disease on its own within two years. According to an international study published this year in “The Lancet,” one of the world’s leading medical journals, HPV is widespread with as much as half of all adult males in the U.S. being infected. Men do not have screening tools against HPV-related cancers, while most women have annual Pap smears for early detection. Consequently, men often do not realize they have these forms of cancers until it is too late to treat. Although experts rec-
“My favorite story was when my sister wanted an iPod for Christmas. My uncle gave her a present in an iPod box. She was all excited, like her face lit up! But when she opened it, it was just a necklace with a turtle. Everyone was cracking up! She was so upset. It was hilarious! —Nick Cribb
ommend vaccination, many people are against immunizing children, both males and females, against the virus due to possible side effects. According to TruthAboutGardasil.org, some patients suffer adverse effects after the vaccination including seizures, strokes, chest pains and autoimmune problems. Even deaths have been reported. However, CDC states that 98 percent of the reports were non-serious. Dr. Nadine Tenn Salle is a pediatrician in Honolulu. She informs parents about the HPV vaccines, and discuss with them if the benefits outweigh the risks involved. She realizes that unlike vaccines for diseases such as polio or chicken pox, the HPV vaccines involve children’s bodies and their sexuality. It’s not an easy topic to discuss with young patients who most likely haven’t started dating yet. “I give both the parent and child an opportunity to look over the material and to come to their own conclusions about HPV and the vaccines involved,” said Salle. “Often times, the family will return and say, ‘Let’s do this’.”
What do you think needs to be done to prevent drunk driving?
“When I was 10 years old, we got a huge desktop computer. The box the computer came in was huge! So I sat in it and thought it was the best, better than the computer!” —Shaylene Brooks
Campus Closed
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sion to females as stated by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. According to CDC experts, the vaccine protects males and females against some of the most common types of HPV that can lead to disease and cancer. For women, Ga rdasi l (made by Merck) and Cervarix (made by GlaxoSmithKline) are the two vaccines available. Only Gardasil has been tested and licensed for use in men. Neither vaccine can prevent all strains of HPV, nor do they prevent cancer. But the vaccines do play a role in cancer rates. In order for the vaccine to be effective, children should be vaccinated before they become sexually active. The entire series of three shots must be administered for full protection against HPV starting at the age of 9. Vaccinating against the virus can be pricey; the threeshot-series of Gardasil can cost as as much as $390. However, most insurance companies cover the cost of the vaccine. But for some parents the cost is less of a concern. “My son is 14 and I’ll be sure he gets his vaccines
What is your best Christmas memory?
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“I guess everything is okay as it is right now. I feel the (Alcoholics Anonymous) courses are helping people already. Having a responsible person around would help too.” —Victoria Ah-Mook Sang
“I think the government should change their focus. I hear about the millions of dollars going into anti-tobacco stuff, but they should shift it over to alcohol. I believe that alcohol kills far more people than tobacco does.” —Kawai Pali, Ka Piko