At some point during the last few days, you've most likely had a few questions run through your mind: I wonder if mom liked her Mother's Day present? What time am I supposed to be at the Brown Jug on Wednesday night? What ever happened to that human papilloma virus vaccine?

Ok, maybe not that last question. But on the off chance you were looking for an update, look no further.

New research on the effectiveness of the injection in males is now underway, and positive research outcomes may lead to a mandatory shot for both sexes. The HPV immunization protects against four of the most common strains of the sexually transmitted disease. These four strains are known to cause roughly 70 percent of cervical cancers. Cervical cancer is kind of a big deal, as it is the second leading cause of cancer in women across the globe. HPV is also very common, in that approximately 50 percent of sexually active men and women will get a genital HPV infection during their lifetime. So during that next passionate escapade with your significant other, you may be exchanging a lot more than tender kisses.

When the vaccine was first introduced a few years ago, it was recommended for 11 to 12 year-old girls. But why wasn't it recommended for boys too? To most people, the obvious answer seemed to be that the immunization helps prevent cervical cancer, and according to my 7th grade sex education teacher, boys don't have cervixes.

But the HPV shot also guards against genital warts, which affect both men and women. In fact, the four strains of HPV that the vaccine defends against cause about 90 percent of all genital warts. Recent research has also shown that the vaccine holds promise for protecting men from genital and anal cancer. Research on the effects of the inoculations on boys has flourished lately, and the vaccine may be available to young men as soon as next year.

Getting the HPV shot will likely prevent boys from getting genital warts and penile cancer (that's right - penile cancer) when they become sexually active. But it will also slow the rate at which the sexually transmitted disease virus is spread. With a lower overall rate of HPV, women will undoubtedly benefit. Just as inoculating all males and females against measles and polio has decreased those disease's prevalence, the HPV injection would almost certainly reduce HPV's prevalence if it were given to everyone. If you thought paying for dinner or giving that hot chick your coat on a chilly night was chivalrous, how about getting three shots to help prevent cancer in women?

Mandating the vaccine for all 6th grade girls was a huge controversy a couple of years ago. Many parents and religious organizations argued that providing girls with the immunization would cause an increase in sexual activity among those vaccinated. There is no evidence backing up this belief. And even if there was, we are talking about preventing cancer here.

Michigan was actually the first state to introduce legislation regarding a mandate, but all subsequent measures have faltered in Michigan's congress. Recently a bill has been passed that would allow schools to provide information regarding HPV immunization to families of students in the 6th, 9th and 12th grades.

But information isn't enough when we are talking about life and death. The vaccine could prevent thousands of deaths each year, and this fact should trump any religious debate. Boys should also be mandated to receive the injection when it is proven safe and made available. Sorry guys, but I did say it could prevent penile cancer.

If you are interested in getting the vaccine now, it's available at University Health Service's Allergy, Immunization and Travel Health Clinic. For more information, you can call the clinic at (734) 764-8304.

Oh and by the way, your mom loved the 99 cent greeting card you got her for Mother's Day, and be at the Brown Jug at 10 p.m.

Tom Michniacki can be reached at tmich@umich.edu.