Group pushes cervical cancer vaccine for 6th grade girls

By DAN BEWLEY

LANSING -- A bipartisan group of female state lawmakers is behind a bill that would require all sixth grade girls to be vaccinated in an effort to fight cervical cancer. The vaccine, called Gardasil, prevents infections from some strains of the sexually transmitted human papilloma virus, which has been found to cause cervical cancer and genital warts. If passed, the bill would be the first of its kind in the country. The Food and Drug Administration approved the vaccine in June for girls at least nine years old. Sherry Miedema is one mother who opposed the legislation. "I'm happy to have the experts make recommendations but then leave it up to the parents to make the choice," Miedema said. "I just feel each year there are more things introduced telling us parents what to do with and for our children, and I'm getting a little weary of it."

Sen. Beverly Hammerstrom (R-Monroe County) supports the legislation. "The test that the FDA has done has proven to be so fantastic that everybody is really excited, and they are going to prove safe over time," Hammerstrom said. The American Cancer Society estimates 9,700 women will be diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2006, with 3,700 fatal cases. Miedema said cervical cancer in Michigan is on the decline, citing a 48 percent decline in the past 12 years, compared to a 33 percent drop nationwide. She said the vaccine should not replace good parenting. "I feel this particular one we can teach the kids to abstain from pre-marital sex rather than give them a band-aid for something they've done after the fact," Miedema said. The bill, as with other school-required vaccines, has a provision allowing parents to opt out for medical, moral or philosophical reasons. The bill's supporters are hoping it passes the senate before lawmakers break later this month.