Sexual Health News
NEWS RELEASE!!!
In addition to being approved for use in both males AND females, ages 9-26 for the prevention of cervical cancer and genital warts, cervarix has now been approved to prevent anal cancer as well. Read below.
Dec. 22, 2010
FDA: Gardasil approved to prevent anal cancer
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved the vaccine Gardasil for the prevention of anal cancer and associated precancerous lesions due to human papillomavirus (HPV) types 6, 11, 16, and 18 in people ages 9 through 26 years.
Gardasil is already approved for the same age population for the prevention of cervical, vulvar, and vaginal cancer and the associated precancerous lesions caused by HPV types 6, 11, 16, and 18 in females. It is also approved for the prevention of genital warts caused by types 6 and 11 in both males and females.
“Treatment for anal cancer is challenging; the use of Gardasil as a method of prevention is important as it may result in fewer diagnoses and the subsequent surgery, radiation or chemotherapy that individuals need to endure,” said Karen Midthun, M.D., director of the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research.
Although anal cancer is uncommon in the general population, the incidence is increasing. HPV is associated with approximately 90 percent of anal cancer. The American Cancer Society estimates that about 5,300 people are diagnosed with anal cancer each year in the United States, with more women diagnosed than men.
Gardasil’s ability to prevent anal cancer and the associated precancerous lesions [anal intraepithelial neoplasia (AIN) grades 1, 2, and 3] caused by anal HPV-16/18 infection was studied in a randomized, controlled trial of men who self-identified as having sex with men (MSM). This population was studied because it has the highest incidence of anal cancer. At the end of the study period, Gardasil was shown to be 78 percent effective in the prevention of HPV 16- and 18-related AIN. Because anal cancer is the same disease in both males and females, the effectiveness data was used to support the indication in females as well.
Gardasil will not prevent the development of anal precancerous lesions associated with HPV infections already present at the time of vaccination. For all of the indications for use approved by the FDA, Gardasil's full potential for benefit is obtained by those who are vaccinated prior to becoming infected with the HPV strains contained in the vaccine.
Individuals recommended for anal cancer screening by their health care provider should not discontinue screening after receiving Gardasil.
As of May 31, 2010, more than 65 million doses of Gardasil had been
distributed worldwide, since its approval in 2006 according to the
manufacturer, Merck and Co. Inc, of Whitehouse Station, N.J. The most
commonly reported adverse events include fainting, pain at the
injection site, headache, nausea, and fever. Fainting is common after
injections and vaccinations, especially in adolescents. Falls after
fainting may sometimes cause serious injuries, such as head injuries.
This can be prevented by keeping the vaccinated person seated for up to
15 minutes after vaccination. This observation period is also
recommended to watch for severe allergic reactions, which can occur
after any immunization.
For more information:
It Gets Better
A few months back, columnist Dan Savage and his partner created a video in response to the news that multiple American youth had taken their own lives after being bullied for being LGBT. This video has grown into an internationally recognized and supported movement called "It Gets Better".
"The website www.itgetsbetterproject.com is a place where young people who are lesbian, gay, bi, or trans can see how love and happiness can be a reality in their future. It’s a place where our straight allies can visit and support their friends and family members. It’s a place where people can share their stories, take the It Gets Better Project pledge, watch videos of love and support, and seek help through the Trevor Project and GLSEN."
Please visit the site and view some of these compelling videos. Consider making the pledge and/or submitting a video of your own.
To view the University of Maryland's One Project video, click here.
For more information about programs and services for LGBT students at UMCP, click here.
The One Project Receives Honors from the National Orientation Directors Association (NODA)
College Park, MD—The National Orientation Directors Association (NODA) has awarded “The One Project” at the University of Maryland the 2010 NODA Innovative Program Award.
The award recognizes one program nationally that the committee believes provides unique programming focused on a specific population that can be used as a model to create similar programming around the country.
Developed by Dian Squire, The One Project is the First-Year Experience (FYE) program for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Ally students at the University of Maryland. It is a comprehensive approach to ensure that LGBTQA-identifying first year students make a successful transition to college. The One Project aims to retain LGBTQ students and their allies at the University of Maryland by providing intentional academic and personal growth and promoting the development of those students.
The “One” in the One Project represents the first year of a student’s new life at the University. It also represents a hope that the LGBTQA community can come together in an intellectual, social and civically-minded way to support each other through the first year of college.
Most recently, the One Project created a video for Dan Savage’s It Gets Better Campaign. To view the video, visit, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZBAFdCTLSi0.
Dian Squire directs The One Project. It is a joint effort by the Office of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Equity (http://lgbt.umd.edu) and the Orientation Office (www.orientation.umd.edu) at the University of Maryland, College Park.
The mission of the NODA is to provide educational, leadership, and professional development in the fields of college student orientation, transition, and retention.
For more information, please visit www.theoneprojectumd.com and www.nodaweb.org.
BOOBS!
Breasts. Funbags. Twin sisters. Whatever you call them, we want to make sure you know how important it is to make sure they are and continue to be healthy. It’s important for young Women to begin feeling their breasts regularly, to become familiar with their breast tissue. This allows them to get a baseline assessment and know, over time, if something may be worthy of a second opinion. A medical opinion…
For all the ladies out there
Breast Cancer is the second most common cancer in Women. It can range in severity but it can be fatal. It’s so important to take care of your health. Learning how to protect your breasts couldn’t be much easier! You can use this Breast Self Awareness Interactive Tool and learn how to do a breast self exam. Or print out one of these cards and post it on your mirror or desk.
While traditional Breast Self Exam is a wonderful skill to know and practice on a monthly basis, even just informally feeling the breasts (still on a regular basis) can be helpful in recognizing any abnormalities, lumps or bumps.
The informality of it all
The organization “Feel Your Boobies” was founded by Leigh Hurst (now a survivor of breast cancer) after she, at a young age, discovered a lump in her breast. She created a t-shirt with the Feel Your Boobies message on it and handed them out to friends. Soon the idea caught on and, after years of promoting the message, nation-wide, her organization has become very successful. They advocate for regular self exam and, via the use of unconventional marketing techniques have created quite a following.
Their newest project? A contest! How would you tell someone to feel their boobies in one minute or less? Log on here, submit your video, have people vote for it and you could win 10,000!
Breast Cancer Awareness for just a month?
Breast Cancer Awareness Month is more than just wearing pink. It’s about learning, sharing, advocating, teaching and practicing. Learn what breast cancer is and how to do a Breast Self-Exam. Share the information with friends and family. Advocate for those with breast cancer, survivors of the disease and the supporters of them. Wear pink ribbons, donate to breast cancer research, join a walk or run, volunteer for one of these organizations. Teach someone about the resources that are available to them. Practice what you preach! Make sure that you, too, are practicing monthly Breast Self Awareness/Exams. Make this more than just a cause for a month.Make it a practice for life.
For more information on Breast Cancer advocacy, prevention, and education, click here!
Gardasil Vaccine approved for use in Men!
Gardasil is a vaccine that can help to protect against HPV infection. Gardasil was FDA approved in 2006 for use in females ages 9-26. In October 2009, The FDA approved Gardasil for use in males ages 9-26. The University Health Center carries the Gardasil vaccine and, for a fee, will vaccinate males and females ages 9-26. Please check with your insurance company to verify coverage. For more information about Gardasil please visit www.gardasil.com.
Click here to listen to our podcast and learn more about HPV
New Vaccine for HPV available
The Cervarix ® vaccine has now been approved for use in Women. To view information on both Cervarix® and Gardasil®, click here.
Plan B is now available in a one tablet formulation
In the event of unprotected intercourse, Plan B can help to prevent pregnancy. While Plan B can help protect a female from pregnancy up to 5 days (120 hours) after unprotected intercourse, it is recommended that she take Plan B as soon as possible after intercourse. The sooner it is taken, the more effective it will be.
Traditional formulation Plan B contains two tablets. One tablet should be taken as soon as possible after unprotected intercourse and the second tablet should be taken 12 hours later.
The University Health Center carries the One-Step product. Plan B One-Step was FDA approved in July, 2009. The product contains the same amount of hormone that the traditional two-tablet formulation does, but it is now found in just one tablet. Click here to see the press release. For more information on Plan B One-Step, please call 1-800-330-1271 or click here.
Plan B is now available to males and females 17 and up without a prescription. It is available to those younger than 17 with a prescription. Plan B Emergency Contraception has been available since 1999. For more information about Plan B, click here.
