Who Should Get the HPV Vaccination and Why

By Stacy Simon Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the US according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It’s so common that nearly all sexually active men and women will have it at some point in their lives. In most cases, HPV goes away on its own and does not cause any health problems. But when HPV does not go away, it can cause genital warts and cancer. Almost all cervical cancer is caused by HPV. The virus has also been linked to cancers of the vulva, vagina, penis, anus, and throat. HPV vaccination for pre-teen and teen girls RESOURCES: Cervical cancer resourcesHPV and cervical cancerHuman papilloma virus (HPV) vaccinesAmerican Cancer Society recommendations for HPV vaccine by age HPV vaccines prevent infection by certain types of the virus, but they work best if they are given before an infection occurs. This is why the American Cancer Society recommends it for girls ages 11 to 12 – because most girls at this age have not yet become sexually active. This is also an age when girls still will be seeing their doctor regularly and getting other vaccinations. The HPV vaccines Cervarix, Gardasil, and Gardasil 9 prevent the 2 types of HPV that cause 70% of all cervical cancers and pre-cancers, as well as many cancers of the vulva, vagina, anus, and throat. Gardasil also helps prevent infection by the 2 types of HPV that cause 90% of all genital warts. Gardasil 9 was approved by the US Foo...
Source: American Cancer Society :: News and Features - Category: Cancer & Oncology Tags: Cervical Cancer Prevention/Early Detection Source Type: news