by Rachel Bender WHNP-BC
Approximately 80 million people become infected with the human papillomavirus (HPV) infection each year. That equates to about 1 out of 4 people nation wide. HPV usually never causes any symptoms and, typically, will go away without treatment in two years. However, sometimes the infection will last longer and cause cancers of the cervix, vagina, vulva, penis, anus and throat. Statistics prove that each year 30,700 men and women are diagnosed with cancer related to the HPV virus and 28,000 can be prevented from the HPV vaccine. So this begs the question of who should be vaccinated—EVERYONE. This vaccine can prevent cancer. The Center for Disease Control recommends vaccination of both boys and girls ages 9-26–preferably one year prior to intercourse. The newest vaccine available is called Gardisil9 and can protect again 9 of the known 14 strains that can cause cancer. In children ages 9-14, the CDC recommends getting two doses of the vaccine at least 6 months apart as opposed to the previous three dose schedule. However, it is still recommended that the three dose schedule be implemented in those 15-26 years old. This vaccine has often been thought of as taboo or condoning high risk sexual behavior, but the fact is that young children have better immunity with vaccines, thus, getting vaccinated as a younger child improves the immune systems response and decreases risk of cancer at a later age. The vaccine will not protect against all forms of HPV, therefore, we still recommend screening with pap smears per the guidelines published by the American Cancer Society and the American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology and protecting yourself against exposure by using condoms with every sexual encounter.
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