Protect yourself and others with the HPV vaccine
January 20th, 2025
Happy New Year! What do you
know about cervical cancer and how the HPV vaccine can help prevent it? What do you
know about cervical cancer and how the HPV vaccine can help prevent it?
What Is HPV and Cervical Cancer?
Cervical cancer is the growth of cancer cells in the cervix, which connects the uterus to the vagina. According to the Centers for Disease Control, cervical cancer is the fourth most prevalent cancer among women in the world. HPV is the leading sexually transmitted disease (STI) worldwide. Condoms can provide some protection but HPV can still spread via skin-to-skin contact, even with condoms.
There are more than 200 strains of HPV, most of which are not harmful. Most sexually active individuals will get HPV. In most cases, their immune systems clear the virus. The HPV Vaccine is designed to protect against the HPV strains that are most likely cause cancer. In the U.S., Gardasil-9 is the HPV vaccine administered.
HPV vaccination could prevent more than 90 percent of cancers caused by HPV from ever developing. According to the CDC, this is approximately 33,700 cases of cervical cancer in the U.S. each year. The vaccine also protects against types that cause genital cancers (which can lead to warts), cause another 20% of cervical cancers as well as anal cancers. It is recommended to get the vaccine before starting sexual activity. It is recommended that you get the vaccine at age 11 or 12 to reduce your risk of developing HPV-related cancers and genital warts. People can get the vaccine up to age 26 and even 45 in some cases (a health care provider can help determine if it’s right for you). People can currently get the vaccine until age 26, and even up to 45 in some cases (a health care provider can help determine if it’s right for you).
Clearing Up Misinformation
The HPV vaccine is a safe and highly effective tool in cancer prevention, but not everyone is getting it. According to the CDC, only 61 percent (or 61%) of teenagers in the U.S. are vaccinated. While vaccination rates had been increasing, they have stagnated in recent years. Unfortunately, there are barriers that prevent many young people from getting the vaccine. Most private insurance plans will cover the cost. There are many resources available to those who do not have insurance. Parents worry that the HPV vaccination will encourage their children to engage in sexual activity. However, many studies have proven this is not true. It is more complicated to choose sexual activity than to get a vaccine. The vaccine also does not encourage sexual behavior. It does, however, prevent many cancers and cases of genital warts.
Finally, people assigned male at birth (AMAB) have low rates of HPV vaccination. Many people believe the vaccine only applies to women with cervixes. This is not true. This is false. It’s a vaccine for everyone. It prevents cervical cancer as well as vaginal cancer, penile cancer, anal cancer, throat cancer, and mouth cancer. In addition, if you are AMAB, getting vaccinated protects your sexual partners, along with yourself.
What Can Be Done?
We can take small actions to create big change! It is important to educate yourself and others. It’s always a good idea to ask a health care provider any questions you have about the vaccine and HPV in general.
Another important duty we teens have is to decrease stigma surrounding sex and sexual health. HPV is a very common disease. Openly discussing HPV and STIs can encourage people to learn more, ask questions and feel less embarrassed. Talk to your friends and family about HPV.
