By Chrystal Johnson, Public Health Educator II
(Wampsville, NY – Jan. 2015) The CDC estimates that human papillomavirus, which is commonly referred to as HPV, causes more than 20,000 cases of cancer in women each year, with cervical cancer being the most common. About 12,000 HPV-associated cancers occur each year in men, who are most often stricken with throat cancer. Since it’s impossible to determine which cases of HPV will clear up and which will develop into cancer, reducing the occurrence of infection with the HPV vaccine is the best defense.
Because the HPV vaccine is most effective when it’s given before first sexual contact, the CDC recommends routine HPV vaccination for girls and boys ages 11 to 12. If they are not vaccinated by this age, then catch-up vaccination begins at 13 years of age. Additionally, because research has shown that children ages 11 and 12 respond better to immunization and produce higher levels of antibodies that fight HPV infection compared to older children, the child’s annual visit for sixth grade when they receive their meningococcal vaccine and Tdap vaccine is the opportune time to start the three-dose HPV vaccine series.However, teens and young adults can still benefit from the HPV vaccine, even if they are already sexually active.
Because the HPV vaccine is proven to protect against certain forms of cancer, the Madison County Health Department is working to increase HPV vaccine three-dose series completion rates in 13 year olds in the county. As the New York State Department of Health continues to get the “HPV vaccine is cancer prevention” message out through televised and social media, the Madison County Health Department in cooperation with the Mohawk Valley Immunization Alliance and Cancer Services Program of Oneida-Madison-Herkimer Counties is kicking off its local promotion in January during National Cervical Cancer Awareness Month.
What can you do? Talk to your doctor about the HPV vaccine for your children and be sure to complete the three-dose series once started. Get screened for cervical cancer. Routine screening for women aged 21 to 65 years old can prevent cervical cancer. For more information, visit www.healthymadisoncounty.org.