NPR: P.S. on HPV and 'Ordinary Oprahs'

P.S. on HPV and 'Ordinary Oprahs'

Your responses to our two most recent segments -- on HPV and "Ordinary Oprahs" -- have been remarkable. First, on the story of the two women who have built or supported schools overseas, most of you loved the story but hated the title.

A typical comment: "There's nothing ordinary about these women, and the title is actually somewhat demeaning." I hear you, but I don't agree. The title actually came from a conversation with one of the guests, Wendy Johnson. When I was writing her intro, she was standing near me (because, remember, she works here) and I said, "How shall I describe you?" She responded, "I'm just an ordinary person." So I thought, yes, that's it.

Wendy and Lidia don't mind at all that we called them ordinary and that you think they are extraordinary. In related news: Dennis Whittle of Global Giving, the organization we also highlighted in the program, was so impressed by both Wendy and Lidia that he is going to try to include their projects among those supported by his organization. We mentioned that Wendy's family previously adopted a little girl from Ethiopia. After years of effort they have succeeded in locating her sister and are bringing her to the U.S. on Thursday, Jan. 18. We are so happy for all of them.

Finally, many of you wrote to highlight the efforts of "extraordinary Oprahs" whom you know. We're going to see if we can do this story again and reach out to some of the people you told us about. Stay tuned for that and keep the ideas coming.

On HPV: After we posted our story, the news broke in the Washington Post that the Washington, D.C., City Council is proposing a requirement that girls be vaccinated for HPV, the virus that can cause cervical cancer. The logic is that D.C.'s large population of African-American women are disproportionately affected by cervical cancer. That has provoked much discussion here in D.C., where we are based. One prominent local columnist denounced the proposal as well meaning but racist; there's been lively discussion on neighborhood discussion boards about this.

If we can figure out a follow up that would be interesting to a national audience, we'll jump on it.

We also asked our male listeners to tell us if they found the story interesting. Many of you were quite emphatic about your desire for more information about how the virus affects men. We're trying to figure out the best way to handle that side of the story, either through this vehicle or in a future podcast.

Once again, thank you for your close attention and passionate interest in our work in progress!

Michel Martin

11:55 AM ET | 01-17-2007 | permalink

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11:55 AM ET | 01-17-2007 | permalink

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I am enjoying listening to your show on podcasts, but I think there needs to be a concerted effort to give more follow-up to shows, especially where fact-checking is needed. I have not found on this blog an adequate follow-up on the claim that condoms cannot protect against the spread of HPV. Is this true, and if so, why is it true? If condoms are highly effective against the spread of HIV and other STDs, why is HPV different? If you want to follow a bottom-up approach for an interview about health issues, I think it is imperative to provide follow-up information about any factual claims made on the show.

Sent by Eric | 11:48 AM ET | 01-22-2007

HPV can be transmitted by skin-to-skin contact. So while condoms do provide a fair bit of protection, contact with warts can spread the virus.

See:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/genital-warts/DS00087/DSECTION=8
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hpv/WO00121
For more info.

Sent by pete | 12:49 PM ET | 01-22-2007

"African-American women are disproportionately affected by cervical cancer"

Why? If anybody can get HPV (with or without a condom), why are certain races affected more? Is it a genetic thing (like sickle cell)?

As for if I, a man, found the HPV story interesting: Actually, it made me more worried than anything else. In the show, information was so scattered and limited, I really didn't know how to deal with it. I had questions like whether I had HPV now? Could my wife get cancer? The information wasn't solid enough for me to walk away knowing the likelihood I was infected or how I could even be tested. I would really like another podcast talking more about the mens perspective, since we too have a responsibility. Otherwise, how do you stop spreading HPV?

Sent by Scott K | 6:00 PM ET | 01-22-2007

I love this program because it seems more like friends having a conversation about important topics. Ms. Martin makes the guests feel comfortable and in turn the listener feels like s/he is part of the conversation. While I enjoy much of NPR programming, I am often turned off by hosts of daily shows who feel they need to demonstrate their prowess in all areas. I get a completely different vibe from Ms. Martin. Instead of acting like the ultimate authority above or at least on par with her guests, she allows them to shine and keeps the conversation flowing naturally.

I look forward to further programs on a variety of topics. Though I am a Caucasian woman, I simply love the diverse topics that have been covered so far on Rough Cuts. I teach high school Spanish and am constantly trying to teach my students (who hail from a white upper middle class town) that their reality is not the only reality. I think this program will help me with that message.

Sent by Jennifer Degenhardt | 10:56 AM ET | 01-23-2007

Dear Michel McQueen Martin, et al.:

I've listened to all the Rough Cuts and I don't have any substantive points to give or observations to make other than the opinion that it is great work.

The selection of well-spoken, cogent guests who have a real connection to the matters at hand is genuinely informative, if somewhat disarming. (You know. Like REAL NEWS)

And the fact that the transcripts are immediately up on the website with links is superior. To all others. If only ALL news, info and discussion feeds could be handled thus.

(Just the facts, ma'am. The 5Ws. NOT "You and/or your loved ones have suffered a calamity - How does that make you feel? And what were you wearing?" That's from the current journalist's credo, the 5Fs: Feelings, Fashions, Fatuity, Fawning, & Foolishness.)

I have stopped watching TV (except for regularly recording a few comedy and history programs) and I get all my news online, or in print, from podcasts, newsletters, some from other countries. Any questionable item or interesting story gets a websearch and meticulous comparisons. That's the kind of hair-pin I am.

KUDOS TO YOU-DOS, KIDDOS!!

Sent by Michael Barrows | 11:01 AM ET | 01-23-2007

The informality and personal passion was welcome, but only to a point - - -listeners need anectdotal evidence balanced by professional advice. I had no problems with the information presented, but a physician, perhaps one of the women's advisors, would have provided balance and depth.

Sent by Laurence Schiffman | 6:33 PM ET | 01-24-2007

As a lebanese woman, I could not help but feel cynical as your guests spoke about politics in the middle east. The reality is that they live, work, and procreate in patriarchal societies. And if any of them were to even dare cross the line--well, we are all to aware of the intimidation tactics of terrorism.

Sent by nadia | 9:26 PM ET | 01-24-2007

I loved this show. It is so important to hear personal stories of stigmatized issues! I am glad it focused on this and not on doctors giving facts.
thanks!

Sent by cindy crabb | 11:37 AM ET | 02-02-2007

I have heard alot in the news about HPV. I'd like to hear more insight from the side of the debate that has not had any play--the people who live with HPV. I was diagnosed at 21 with the onset of cerivcal cancer due to HPV. If there would have been a vaccine for it before that time, I would have been the first in line to recieve it. Regardless of how it is passed (75% of the population already carries some form of the virus), I would have loved to have the chance to ward against it. What most don't realize is that the virus can only be killed by your body. I am in remission, but I live with the knowledge that it can come back at any time, for any reason. I could have cancer today and not know till my next check up.

Sent by Jessica | 5:58 PM ET | 02-05-2007

I belive that Merck is doing research on the HPV vaccine in men. It's a big topic, espeically with adolecent males who have sex with men and the physicians who treat them. There is no Pap smear equivalent for men, but they can get warts and anogenital cancer. I would love to hear someone from Merck discuss why they waited to test the vaccine on men and boys, and also from someone in the MSM community to get their perspective.

Sent by Marjorie Affel | 3:17 PM ET | 03-01-2007

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