Happy New Year! Did you know that January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month? 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. It’s the fourth most common cancer in women worldwide, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). However, cervical cancer can be prevented by getting vaccinated against human papillomavirus (HPV).
HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the world. 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. The vast majority of sexually active people will contract HPV at some point, and, in most cases, the body’s immune system clears the virus without causing any problems. Most people will not even be aware that they have it.
However, in addition to the low-risk strains, there are twelve high-risk strains of HPV, some of which are responsible for most cases of cervical cancer.
All About the HPV Vaccine
The HPV vaccine is designed to protect you from the strains of HPV that are most likely to 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. This is an estimated 33,700 cases in the U.S. every year, according to the CDC!
The vaccine currently protects against nine types of HPV, including the two (HPV 16 and 18) that cause about 70 percent of cervical cancers. It also prevents types that: lead to genital warts, cause another 20 percent of cervical cancers, cause anal cancers and cause mouth and throat cancers.
When Should I Get It?
The vaccine is most effective when given before a person is exposed to HPV, which is why it’s recommended before someone chooses to become sexually active. The recommendation is typically age 11 or 12. Though this is the case, getting vaccinated even after you become sexually active can reduce the risk of developing HPV-related cancers or genital warts. 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. Only around 61 percent of teens are vaccinated against HPV in the U.S. and while rates of vaccination had been rising, in recent years they have stalled, according to the CDC. Unfortunately, barriers prevent young people from receiving the vaccine.
One obstacle is lack of access to health care, either via distance, lack of transportation or otherwise. As far as cost, most private insurance plans cover it. For those without insurance, there are resources to help.
Another barrier is stigma and misinformation surrounding sex and sexual health. Some parents worry that getting their child the HPV vaccine would encourage sexual behavior, but many studies have disproved this. The choice to engage in sexual activity is much more complex than a vaccine, and the vaccine does not promote 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 believe that the vaccine is only for people with cervixes. This is false. It’s for everyone and prevents not just cervical cancer, but also vaginal, penile, anal, throat and mouth cancers, among others. 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! The main way is to educate ourselves 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 really common. Talking openly about HPV and other STIs encourages people to ask questions, learn more and feel less ashamed. Have conversations with friends and family members about HPV.
Overall, the HPV vaccine is life-saving and has decreased HPV infection by 88 percent in teen girls, according to the CDC. Pretty impressive.
This factsheet has more information about the HPV vaccine.
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