For many years over 4,000 US women died from cervical cancer. Research showed that more than 9 out of 10 cases were due to infection with the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV.).
Fortunately, a vaccine was developed that dramatically reduced the risk of cervical cancer. Additionally, it reduces the risk of several other cancers related to HPV infection (anal, vaginal, vulvar, penile, and throat cancers).
Young women (age 20 to 24) who were screened for cervical cancer from 2008 to 2022 showed that pre-cancer cells and localized cancer of the cervix dropped by 79 to 80%! This is consistent with the new availability of the HPV vaccine during this time.
HPV is spread by intimate skin to skin contact, mainly sexual contact, so it is considered to be a sexually transmitted infection (STI). Both men and women can be infected.
Men can also develop cancer from HPV infection. In fact, 4 out of 10 cancer cases from HPV infection are in men (primarily penile, anal, and throat cancers).
The HPV vaccine is recommended for children at age 11 (it can be given as young as age 9). The idea is to give the vaccine before the person is sexually active.
Two injections are needed about 6 to 12 months apart (3 injections if the vaccine is not started until the patient is older). It is contraindicated if the person is allergic to yeast or is pregnant.
This is a great success story. As an aside, for those of you who read my last blog on the new measles outbreak, just recently one child died from measles. It can be a serious disease that is preventable with the MMR vaccine.
Peter M. Hartmann, MD
Family Medicine & Psychiatry
