TORONTO - Other provinces have no excuse for refusing to provide young women with free vaccinations that could help prevent cervical cancer after Canada's most populous province rolled out the immunization program Thursday, a national doctor's group said.
Despite the concerns of some researchers who say widespread vaccination against human papilloma virus (HPV) is being embraced too quickly, the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada says all provinces should take advantage of a "major breakthrough in cancer prevention."
Although the federal government set aside $300 million to fund the vaccine Gardasil, only Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and now Ontario are making use of the cash.
"We're thrilled that Ontario is doing this," said society President Guylaine Lefebvre.
"We're very hopeful that it leaves other provinces with no other choice but to follow suit. If Ontario with its population can do this, then there isn't any excuse for the other provinces not to find a way to offer this."
Since the federal funding only lasts for three years, Lefebvre said some provinces are reluctant to sign on and then be on the hook for long-term funding.
But the current patchwork of vaccination emerging across Canada doesn't make sense and is "un-Canadian," Lefebvre said. If we want cervical cancer to go the way of smallpox, Lefebvre said there must be widespread, national immunization.
"As a Canadian, I would hate to think that which province I live in will determine how protected I am," she said.
But some are warning against rolling out the vaccine before long-term effects have been determined, saying women may be lulled into a false sense of security.
In an article published this week in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, researchers led by epidemiologist Abby Lippman of McGill University said there are many unanswered questions including how long the immunity lasts.
They also worry the vaccine may cause women to forego safe sex practices and regular pap smear exams which have helped cut cervical cancer rates over the years.
That didn't deter Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty who said the vaccine is still recommended by numerous credible organizations including the Public Health Agency of Canada and the Canadian Cancer Society.
"Every year in Ontario about 550 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer and 150 die," said McGuinty, whose own university-age daughter is getting the vaccine.
"We're going into our elementary schools and offering this to our girls in Grade 8 because it saves lives. It's a simple reason. It's the right thing to do."
Ontario will spend $117 million over three years to offer the vaccination but McGuinty said it's "likely" the province will continue to fund the program after the federal money runs out.
"The best advice that we've got is to move ahead with this," he said.
Joan Murphy, head of gynecologic oncology with Toronto's University Health Network, says cervical cancer is "essentially a preventable disease" but women must understand that they should still have regular pap exams.
While 75 per cent of women are regularly screened, Murphy said the vaccine will help reach that other 25 per cent - many of whom live in poverty or are new to Canada.
"With the arrival of HPV vaccination, our goal should be nothing short of eliminating cervical cancer," she said. "By adding HPV immunization to regular cervical screening, we truly have the potential to see the end of this disease in Ontario."
George Pasut, Ontario's acting chief medical officer of health, said the vaccines - which will be voluntary and administered in Ontario schools - will be accompanied by a public education campaign.
"It's going to be important to get the right information to the families, to the students. . . to ensure they have the information upon which they can make a good, informed decision," he said.
Other provinces have no excuse for refusing to provide young women with free vaccinations that could help prevent cervical cancer after Canada's most populous province rolled out the immunization program Thursday, a national doctor's group said.
