Diane Harper

Last updated
Diane Medved Harper
Alma mater Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Known forInvestigator for HPV vaccine clinical trials; later, commentator on HPV vaccine issues
Scientific career
Fields Virology, vaccine development, cancer prevention
Institutions University of Louisville
University of Missouri Kansas City
Dartmouth Medical School
University of Michigan
Thesis The determination of diagnostic probabilities for human papillomavirus testing in the evaluation of an abnormal screening Papanicolaou smear  (1995)

Diane Medved Harper is a United States professor in the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Michigan. [1] Her area of expertise is human papillomavirus (HPV) and the diseases associated with it, as well as colposcopy, and she was one of the investigators in the clinical trials of Gardasil and Cervarix, vaccines against HPV. [2]

Contents

Early life and education

Harper grew up in Kansas City; her father was an electrical and mechanical engineer. Her mother died in 1981, of breast cancer, while Harper was at graduate school. [3]

A graduate of the University of Kansas (where she completed a residency in family medicine), Harper also completed undergraduate and graduate degrees at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in chemical engineering, before attending Stanford University and Harvard University to receive her public health degree. Her decision to go to medical school instead of continuing to study engineering was made in 1981, when, on Thanksgiving Day, she called her dad and told him that her heart wasn't in engineering. [3] While at Stanford, she studied medical decision making and cost-effectiveness analysis. Harper's degrees include MD, MPH, and MS. [4]

Research and career

From 2013 to 2017 she was a professor and chair of the department of Family and Geriatric Medicine at the University of Louisville. From 2009 to 2013 she was a professor at the University of Missouri Kansas City's department of Biomedical and Health Informatics. From 1996 to 2009 she held a clinical, teaching, and research post at Dartmouth Medical School. [3] [5]

Harper has been appointed to the Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation [6] at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI and the Physician director for Community Outreach, Engagement and Health Disparities at the University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center. [7]

In 2016, Harper was appointed to the United States Preventive Services Task Force. [8]

Views on HPV vaccines

Harper has stated that Gardasil "is a good vaccine and ... is generally safe", and told the Guardian "I fully support the HPV vaccines ... I believe that in general they are safe in most women." [9] [10] However, since 2009 Harper has questioned the cost-benefit analysis of Gardasil in countries where pap smears are regularly available, and has stated that the vaccine has been overpromoted. [11] In a 2011 NPR interview, she argued against mandatory HPV vaccines for schoolchildren, saying "Ninety-five percent of women who are infected with HPV never, ever get cervical cancer." [12] In a July 2013 interview, she stated that she advocates personal choice and an individualized approach to HPV vaccination, saying that she provides "a balanced picture to my patients and their families and am not at all upset if they refuse the vaccine, especially at younger ages." [13] Harper appeared on a December 2013 episode of Katie Couric's show Katie devoted to the HPV vaccine, and stated that newly developed pap screenings that combine HPV testing and cytology have a nearly 100% ability to detect pre-cancers and cancers; she also said that Gardasil doesn't last long enough to prevent cervical cancer and that there are some harms associated with it. [14] [15]

Harper appeared at the International Public Conference on Vaccination, a conference held by the National Vaccine Information Center, a U.S. anti-vaccine group, [16] [17] apparently not realizing that it was an anti-vaccination event. [16] She also appeared in The Greater Good , an anti-vaccine film. [18]

Awards and honors

In 2006, while Harper was on the faculty and staff of Dartmouth Medical School, the New Hampshire Academy of Family Physicians named her the New Hampshire Family Physician of the Year. [19]

In May 2013, Harper received the Prix Monte-Carlo Woman of the Year award in Monte Carlo for her contributions and discoveries defining the role of HPV in the pathology of cervical cancer.[ citation needed ]

In May 2013, Harper also received the Society of Teachers of Family Medicine Excellence in Education Award for her "excellence in education at every level from medical students, family medicine residents, residents in obstetrics and gynecology, national and international meetings, and to the public and national audiences via television, including an appearance on the Dr Oz show ...." The award also noted that Harper "helped establish the US national guidelines for the nomenclature of cytology and the screening and management of abnormal cytology and histology reports" and "consulted for the World Health Organization on the use of prophylactic HPV vaccines". [20] [21]

In October 2015, Harper was named the Alum of the Year by the Notre Dame de Sion School system. [22]

Publications

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wart</span> Small, rough growth resembling a cauliflower or a solid blister

Warts are non-cancerous viral growths usually occurring on the hands and feet but can also affect other locations, such as the genitals or face. One or many warts may appear. They are distinguished from cancerous tumors as they are caused by a viral infection, such as a human papillomavirus, rather than a cancerous growth.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cervical cancer</span> Cancer arising from the cervix

Cervical cancer is a cancer arising from the cervix. It is due to the abnormal growth of cells that have the ability to invade or spread to other parts of the body. Early on, typically no symptoms are seen. Later symptoms may include abnormal vaginal bleeding, pelvic pain or pain during sexual intercourse. While bleeding after sex may not be serious, it may also indicate the presence of cervical cancer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Human papillomavirus infection</span> Human disease

Human papillomavirus infection is caused by a DNA virus from the Papillomaviridae family. Many HPV infections cause no symptoms and 90% resolve spontaneously within two years. In some cases, an HPV infection persists and results in either warts or precancerous lesions. These lesions, depending on the site affected, increase the risk of cancer of the cervix, vulva, vagina, penis, anus, mouth, tonsils, or throat. Nearly all cervical cancer is due to HPV, and two strains – HPV16 and HPV18 – account for 70% of all cases. HPV16 is responsible for almost 90% of HPV-positive oropharyngeal cancers. Between 60% and 90% of the other cancers listed above are also linked to HPV. HPV6 and HPV11 are common causes of genital warts and laryngeal papillomatosis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia</span> Medical condition

Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), also known as cervical dysplasia, is the abnormal growth of cells on the surface of the cervix that could potentially lead to cervical cancer. More specifically, CIN refers to the potentially precancerous transformation of cells of the cervix.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">HPV vaccine</span> Class of vaccines against human papillomavirus

Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines are vaccines that prevent infection by certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV). Available HPV vaccines protect against either two, four, or nine types of HPV. All HPV vaccines protect against at least HPV types 16 and 18, which cause the greatest risk of cervical cancer. It is estimated that HPV vaccines may prevent 70% of cervical cancer, 80% of anal cancer, 60% of vaginal cancer, 40% of vulvar cancer, and show more than 90% efficacy in preventing HPV-positive oropharyngeal cancers. They additionally prevent some genital warts, with the quadrivalent and nonavalent vaccines that protect against HPV types HPV-6 and HPV-11 providing greater protection.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ian Frazer</span> Scottish-born Australian immunologist

Ian Hector Frazer is a Scottish-born Australian immunologist, the founding CEO and Director of Research of the Translational Research Institute (Australia). Frazer and Jian Zhou developed and patented the basic technology behind the HPV vaccine against cervical cancer at the University of Queensland. Researchers at the National Cancer Institute, Georgetown University, and University of Rochester also contributed to the further development of the cervical cancer vaccine in parallel.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gardasil</span> Human papillomavirus vaccine

Gardasil is an HPV vaccine for use in the prevention of certain strains of human papillomavirus (HPV). It was developed by Merck & Co. High-risk human papilloma virus (hr-HPV) genital infection is the most common sexually transmitted infection among women. The HPV strains that Gardasil protects against are sexually transmitted, specifically HPV types 6, 11, 16 and 18. HPV types 16 and 18 cause an estimated 70% of cervical cancers, and are responsible for most HPV-induced anal, vulvar, vaginal, and penile cancer cases. HPV types 6 and 11 cause an estimated 90% of genital warts cases. HPV type 16 is responsible for almost 90% of HPV-positive oropharyngeal cancers, and the prevalence is higher in males than females. Though Gardasil does not treat existing infection, vaccination is still recommended for HPV-positive individuals, as it may protect against one or more different strains of the disease.

Cervarix is a vaccine against certain types of cancer-causing human papillomavirus (HPV).

Margaret Anne Stanley, OBE FMedSc, is a British virologist and epithelial biologist. She attended the Universities of London, Bristol, and Adelaide. As of 2018, she is an Emeritus Professor of Epithelial Biology in the Department of Pathology at the University of Cambridge and a Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences. She is also an Honorary Fellow of the UK Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and an honorary fellow of Christ's College, Cambridge. Stanley is a research scientist in virology focusing on the human papillomavirus (HPV). Her research work has led to new scientific findings on HPV. Additionally, she uses her expertise on HPV to serve on multiple advisory committees and journal editorial boards.

Established in 1993 by Ludwig Cancer Research and McGill University, the Ludwig / McGill Cohort is one of the world's largest longitudinal studies of the natural history of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and cervical cancer risk.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Henry Kitchener</span>

Professor Henry Kitchener, MD FRCOG FRCS(Glas) FMedSci, is a leading British expert in gynaecological oncology, based at the University of Manchester. He is a fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences.

Jian Zhou was a Chinese virologist and cancer researcher, who with fellow researcher Ian Frazer, invented Gardasil and Cervarix, the vaccines for stimulating human immunological resistance to the cervical cancer-inducing human papilloma virus.

Janet Elizabeth Macgregor, was a Scottish physician and cytologist who pioneered the first successful screening trial programme for cervical cancer in the United Kingdom. Her work helped lead to a significant decrease in women's deaths from cervical cancer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Douglas R. Lowy</span>

Douglas R. Lowy is the current Principal Deputy Director of the U.S. National Cancer Institute (NCI) and Chief of the Laboratory of Cellular Oncology within the Center for Cancer Research at NCI. Lowy served as Acting Director of NCI between April 2015 and October 2017 following the resignation of Harold E. Varmus, M.D., and again between April and November 2019, while Director Norman Sharpless served as the Acting Commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. He resumed the role of Acting Director on May 1, 2022, when Sharpless stepped down until October 3, 2022 when Monica Bertagnolli was appointed Director. He resumed the role again in November 2023 after Bertagnolli resigned to serve as director of the National Institutes of Health.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Riko Muranaka</span> Japanese medical doctor and journalist

Riko Muranaka is a medical doctor, journalist and recipient of the 2017 John Maddox Prize for fighting to reduce cervical cancer and countering misinformation about the human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccine dominating the Japanese media, despite facing safety threats. Despite the lack of evidence, the HPV vaccine is infamous in Japan due to misattributed adverse effects, with government suspending promotion and coverage. While the World Health Organization (WHO) safety and efficacy information about the vaccine is consistent with Muranaka's reporting, a court ruled against Muranaka in an unrelated slander lawsuit in 2016 for claims of alleged fabrication. Under threat of legal harassment by antivaccine activists, publishers declined some of her works including a book on the HPV vaccine.

Anne Szarewski was a doctor who helped improve how cervical screening samples are tested and was involved in developing the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine.

Gina Suzanne Ogilvie is a Canadian global and public health physician. She is a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Global Control of HPV related diseases and prevention, and Professor at the University of British Columbia in their School of Population and Public Health.

Christiane Northrup is a former obstetrics and gynaecology physician and author who promotes pseudoscientific alternative medicine and anti-vaccine conspiracy theories. She has a history of opposing vaccination and has embraced QAnon ideology during the COVID-19 pandemic. Northrup reaches a significant audience through popular books and multiple social media platforms and spreads misinformation, notably about COVID-19.

Karen Canfell is an Australian epidemiologist and cancer researcher.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Julia C. Gage</span> American cancer epidemiologist

Julia C. Gage is an American cancer epidemiologist who researches cervical screening and the human papillomavirus infection. She is a staff scientist in the clinical genetics branch at the National Cancer Institute.

References

  1. ↑ "Diane M. Harper, M.D., M.P.H., M.S." 3 February 2018. Archived from the original on 2018-06-19.
  2. ↑ Yerman, Marcia (28 December 2009). "An Interview with Dr. Diane M. Harper, HPV Expert". Huffington Post . Retrieved 8 August 2013.
  3. 1 2 3 Durgin, Jennifer (Fall 2006). "Dream Work: Diane Harper MD MPH". Dartmouth Medicine. Retrieved 13 August 2013.
  4. ↑ "Diane Medved Harper". Second Opinion (TV series) . Retrieved 13 August 2013.
  5. ↑ "Diane Harper, MD, MPH, MS, Professor". Archived from the original on 2012-07-12. Retrieved 2013-10-09.
  6. ↑ "Harperdi".
  7. ↑ "HPV specialist Diane Harper to lead community outreach efforts at the Cancer Center". 13 March 2018.
  8. ↑ "Appointment of Four New U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Members". U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. February 2016. Retrieved 10 February 2016.
  9. ↑ Ben Goldacre (9 October 2009). "Cancer jab fantasy closes down a debate". the Guardian.
  10. ↑ Chustecka, Zosia (9 August 2008). "HPV Vaccine Deemed Safe and Effective, Despite Reports of Adverse Events". Medscape Today. Retrieved 8 August 2013.
  11. ↑ Crank “scientific” conferences: A parody of science-based medicine that can deceive even reputable scientists and institutions, Science Based Medicine
  12. ↑ Knox, Richard (19 September 2011). "HPV Vaccine: The Science Behind the Controversy". NPR . Retrieved 8 August 2013.
  13. ↑ "HPV: A Complicated Vaccine". MDNews. 1 July 2013. Archived from the original on 18 July 2013. Retrieved 9 August 2013.
  14. ↑ "Was the HPV Vaccine Responsible for One Girl's Death?" (video) Archived 2014-03-17 at the Wayback Machine . Katie . December 4, 2013. KatieCouric.com.
  15. ↑ "Should Your Son or Daughter Get the HPV Vaccine?" (video) Archived 2014-03-17 at the Wayback Machine . Katie . December 4, 2013. KatieCouric.com.
  16. 1 2 The South African human papillomavirus vaccination programme for grade 4 girls: facts and fallacies, Rosemary J. Burnett, South African Vaccination and Immunisation Centre, Department of Virology, University of Limpopo
  17. ↑ Specter, Michael (2009). Denialism : How Irrational Thinking Hinders Scientific Progress, Harms the Planet, and Threatens Our Lives. PenguinPress. p. 7.
  18. ↑ Gorski, David (7 November 2011). "The Greater Good: Pure, unadulterated anti-vaccine propaganda masquerading as a 'balanced' documentary". Science Based Medicine . Retrieved 22 January 2019.
  19. ↑ DMS Roundup—September 2006
  20. ↑ "Awards". www.stfm.org. Archived from the original on 2014-01-06. Retrieved 2013-10-08.
  21. ↑ "School of Medicine Professor Recognized Internationally - UMKC Today". info.umkc.edu.
  22. ↑ "Outstanding Alum Award: Diane Medved Harper '76". Notre Dame de Sion. Archived from the original on 25 May 2016. Retrieved 10 February 2016.
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