Someone You Love: The HPV Epidemic

I went to the showing of this film at my college as extra credit. Didn't plan on really even watching it honestly...was going to catch up on my class reading. Boy...was I WRONG!!! This film hit so close to home and effected me in ways that shocked me. I couldn't get out of the theater fast enough before I just balled my eyes out. I had a 13-year old niece pass away from cancer (another form) but all the same so that of course added to the feelings. This film is so well put together and very informative. Why anyone...PERIOD...would even dream of not getting the vaccination is beyond my comprehension! When they said if all boys got the vaccination we could all but stop cervical cancer...right there was enough for me to say where do I sign my son up! My son is 23 and I will be talking to him about this and getting it done! The pain (doesn't really even describe it) these 5 women endured was horrendous. My heart broke for all 5 women (I'd like to get my hands on the husbands of Christine and Susie and ring their neck) My strongest feelings went out to Kelly - she went to the "literally ends of the earth" to beat this. To see what she went through and how all she went through but she kept fighting -- it still is effecting me almost a week later. This film is very well put together and gives you great information and real life issues to back it up. I recommend every single middle and high school and college make this a mandatory showing - then the word will get out there to the population that needs to see it. Parents that refuse this vaccination that can save the lives of daughters, sisters, aunts, friends everywhere are the most selfish and uninformed people I could imagine. The simple fact that it can be eliminated is all it takes. Side effects come from everything...but not protecting and causing the death of someone because of an ill-informed decision is ludicrous - GO SEE THIS FILM IF YOU HAVE ANY DOUBTS...if this doesn't change your mind than you have no understanding of life,period!

"The movie was an emotionally wrenching and eye-opening documentary of five women's struggles with cervical cancer after contracting the Human Papillomavirus (HPV). Physicians and parents of adolescents should watch this video to understand the importance of vaccinating against this horrible virus and eliminate the misconceptions of HPV. The virus destroys lives and is too common to ignore. Our daughters and sons should never have to ask us why they were never protected against oral, penile, vaginal, cervical, or anal cancer. I would never want my daughter to go through the struggles that women with HPV endure. It's so simple, just a vaccination. "

This film was very inspirational and informative. All parents should watch this film so they can become aware of the steps they can take to help . The film not only takes you through a personal journey of the individuals involved but also has wonderful facts am information for the viewers. I wish I knew more about this epidemic years ago. With startling statistics revealed and how the lives of the families are affected , This film will leave you with tears and a mission to help. The doctors involved offer compelling information and the directors allow the women to state their emotions I a way that touches everyone. I would hope that every college and high school allows this film to be viewed by their students .it is one not to be missed . HPV is no longer a disease that will be kept secret thanks to this film.

Bring tissues to "Someone You Love" because it will be hard to hold back the tears. To be honest, I didn't realize a documentary could engage me on such a deep level from beginning to end. This film takes a medical term such as human papillomavirus and personalizes it, which is vital to educating parents and teens on the importance of getting vaccinated. As a parent of three, my pediatrician began recommending the HPV vaccination as soon as it was available. Fearful of the side effects and unsure it was even necessary, I waited a few years before agreeing to having any of my kids immunized. Eventually I gave in, but it wasn't because I understood the implications of not getting the shots (I'm sure our providers explained it well, but I still hesitated). After seeing "Someone You Love," I'm incredibly relieved my kids are protected. Kudos to the team who produced this film!

These days, many people speculate about why the uptake of HPV vaccine is so low among adolescents in the U.S. Numerous trials show that the vaccine is both safe and effective. Studies have thoroughly discredited claims that getting HPV vaccine makes girls promiscuous and more prone to contract all types of sexually transmitted infections. The vaccine is available at little or no cost at provider offices, pharmacies, and clinics that specialize in adolescent health services. What it seems to come down to is that many adolescent health care providers are not giving a strong, authoritative recommendation for HPV vaccine. These providers do not see the outcome of persistent HPV infections on a regular basis and allow misconceptions to overshadow the HPV vaccine's mission-cancer prevention.

Watching "Someone You Love: The HPV Epidemic" could help to change that. The film introduces us to 5 victims of high-risk type HPV infections that resulted in cervical cancer, the most common HPV-associated cancer among women. We hear their stories and meet their families. Kristen's story is told posthumously by her grieving parents. We follow Kelly to treatment and hear the doctor proclaim that she is in remission, only to be devastated when, 6 weeks later, the disease has returned. We hear of divorce and marriage, scars and infertility, death and survival.

These women were once 11 year olds, just entering Middle School, dreaming of the future. Today's 11 year olds are entering adolescence at a time when they are at risk to contract one of the 14 million new HPV infections that occur annually in the United States. Three doses of the HPV vaccine given now, before they are exposed to HPV viruses, may end up saving their lives.