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Case Study: Mitosis, Cancer, and Vaccines learning.

Should you get the HPV Vaccine?

Most states do not
mandate this vaccine, so
it's up to parents and
young adults to decide to
get the vaccine.

What reasons might a person

have for not getting a vaccine?

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HPV = Human Papillomavirus
There are several strains of this virus, and in many cases
the virus causes mild problems, like warts, or causes no
symptoms. HPV is a common virus, most children get warts
at some point (but they go away).

Some strains of HPV are transmitted sexually and are

responsible fo genital warts. Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:5keq.png

Consider the following statement: “If you are not sexually active, then you do not need to
get the vaccine.” Do you agree of disagree with this statement. Defend your position.

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Examine the graph, showing the prevalence in genital HPV among
adults age 18-59 (2013-2014) Source: CDC.gov

According to the graph,

what percent of the
entire population has
HPV?

Why would the Centers

for Disease Control
collect data on different
groups?

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Considering the number of people that have HPV in the
population, even if you wait until marriage to become sexually
active, you have a high chance of being exposed. The vaccine
only works if you get it BEFORE your are exposed to the virus.

The CDC recommends getting the HPV vaccine for both boys and girls at
the age of 11. Why do you think it’s important to get vaccinated so young?

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For many, HPV clears up on its own, thanks to the immune system. For
others, the virus can hide in cells and lead to cancer later.

What percentage of those

cancers occur in the cervix?

What percentage of those

cancers occur in the mouth
and throat?

Source: Canadian Cancer Society

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Where exactly is the cervix?
The cervix is the “neck” of the uterus
a small section between the uterus
and the vagina.

When the HPV vaccine was introduced,

many doctors suggested only
vaccinating girls. Consider the graphic
from the last slide. Do you think girls are
the only ones at risk? Why or why not?

Source: CDC.gov

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How does a virus cause cancer?
First we have to look at what cancer actually is. Cancer is a problem with cell division. Cells that
would normally divide to replace tissue can malfunction and continue to divide, forming a tumor. The
virus enters the cells and changes them (mutations) which can cause them to divide uncontrollably.

Go to cervical cancer at cancer.gov and scan the information.

What is the MAJOR risk factor for getting cervical cancer?

List one other risk factor:

How are cells taken from the cervix for testing?

healthcare provider uses a small brush or
spatula to collect cells from the cervix
What is this procedure called?

Pap smear 7
How does a virus cause cancer?
Explore the infographic What type of cells in the cervix does HPV infect?
to answer the questions.
The initial infection takes how long to heal?

How long does it take for cancer to develop?

Source: https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Pathogenesis-of-HPV-in-cervical-cancer-copyright-C-The-Nobel-Committee-for-Physiology_fig3_324478085 8
A closer look at cell division… Source: Wikipedia

The graphic shows the phases

of mitosis and interphase,
which is the part of the cell
cycle where DNA copies itself.

List the phases shown on the

diagram in order.

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Label the phases. (Prometaphase is not included on this diagram.)

Source: Wikimedia Commons

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The Cell Cycle refers to the life of the cell,
it includes mitosis, plus interphase which
has its own phases.

G1 = growth
S = DNA synthesis
G2 = growth and preparation for mitosis

Read the callouts at the checkpoints in the

image. Based on that, suggest a definition of
explanation for what a checkpoint is:

Source:
https://www.researchgate.net/figure/The-cell-cycle-is-divided-into-four-phas 11
es-G-1-S-G-2-M-Resting-cells-are-in-a-G_fig1_264548273
Practice labeling the cell cycle by dragging the
labels to the appropriate spot on the image. You can
spin or rotate the labels if needed.

G1 G2 S

prophase interphase

anaphase metaphase

telophase

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Cancer occurs when the checkpoints fail and mutations
to cell DNA is not detected.

Some mutations cause the cell to skip the G 0 phase,

resting phase and start the cell cycle again.
HPV is known to cause these types of mutations.

Out of control cell division is the nature of cancer.

What do you think happens when the cell DOES

detect a problem with the DNA at any of the
checkpoints?

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What does cancer look like?
It depends on the type of cancer. An odd
mole might be cancer. Most cancers are not
not visible without looking at cells. Doctors
can take a sample of cells from the cervix and
look at them under the microscope.

This is called a PAP test.

Most women get this test once a year.

Why do you think it is important to detect

cancer early?

Source: cancer.gov

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Why get the HPV Vaccine?
This poster shows how the HPV vaccine has
affected the health of women in the UK.

By what percent does the HPV

vaccine reduce the infection of
human papillomavirus in women?

By what percent does the HPV

vaccine reduce cervical cancer
diagnoses?

What other benefits does the vaccine have?

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Consider the following AD from the CDC. Getting the vaccine is voluntary in most
states, unlike other vaccines that are required to enroll in school (measles).

Do you think this ad is

effective in convincing
parents (or young adults) to
get the vaccine? Why or why
not?

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You may or may not have gotten the HPV vaccine, what would you suggest for others,
maybe a brother or sister, or a friend. Should girls get the vaccine? Should boys? Justify
your position with details from this case. Your overall grade is based on your writing that
reflects an understanding of HPV, cancer, and the cell cycle. (3-10 sentences)

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