Issue link: http://viewer.e-digitaledition.com/i/60956
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ +++++++++++ +++++++++++ +++++++++++ +++++++++++ +++++++++++ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ THAT'SNEWS HPV VACCINE Also Recommended for Boys Officials debated the cost effectiveness of giving boys the vaccine. The three-dose series, given over a six-month period, costs $120 per dose, and giving the vaccine to boys is estimated to cost $38 million overall. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 20 million Americans are infected with HPV, which can lead to cervical and other cancers. The vaccine is designed to help protect both girls and boys from the virus. A study by the Guttmacher Institute revealed GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS CAME to a consensus on recommending the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine Gardasil for boys between ages 11 and 21. The vaccine — currently administered to girls and young women — has been approved for males since 2009. that 13% of all 15-year-olds surveyed have had vaginal sex, with figures increasing to 70% by age 19. According to the CDC, the HPV vaccine is more effective when given to young teens before sexual activity begins. Controversy has sparked over the vaccine due to parents' fears that the vaccine could be dangerous, its effectiveness in preventing cervi- cal cancer and whether government officials should require it for school-aged children. ■ Study Addresses Cancer Concerns of NIPPLE-SPARING PROCEDURE WOMEN WITH BREAST CANCER who choose to have their breasts removed have the option to undergo a nipple-sparing mastectomy (NSM) procedure, according to a new study. Surgeons at Georgetown University Hospital reviewed records of women who received NSM to address the concern of whether cancer cells could still exist under the nipple and pose a threat. The findings conducted at Georgetown University Medical Center suggest that no cancer recurrences or new cancers occurred in women who had the procedure. The alternative concern of the procedure involved the nipple area not receiving enough blood. Researchers found cases where lack of blood flow to the nipple areola complex caused necrosis or tissue death — four cases requiring either partial removal of the areola and three involving total removal. Researchers concluded that a successful pro- cedure depends on effective patient-selection protocol, and they foresee a future in NSM yielding positive results. ■ ADVERTISERS' INDEX American Medflight.................................13 DaVita .......................................Back Cover Digestive Health Associates ................ 14 Hot Springs Portable Spas ...... Inside Front Cover Business Travel & Tours .........................12 Keurig ........................... Inside Back Cover 14 | Reno/Tahoe/Carson City MD NEWS ■ MDNEWS.COM