HPV Vaccination Rates Lowest in States With Highest Cervical Cancer Rates: Study
HPV Vaccination Rates Lowest in States With Highest Cervical Cancer Rates: Study
Vaccination could prevent most cervical cancers, researcher notes
HPV is a very common sexually transmitted infection. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 14 million Americans, including teens, become infected with HPV each year.
The virus can raise the risk of cervical, vaginal and vulvar cancers in women and penile cancer in men. It is also associated with increased chances of anal cancer, mouth/throat cancer and genital warts in both men and women.
The CDC recommends the HPV vaccine for boys and girls at age 11 or 12, so they are protected before being exposed to the virus.
The HPV vaccine is given in three shots. The second shot is given one or two months after the first shot. A third shot is given six months after the first shot.
Debbie Saslow, director of breast and gynecologic cancer at the American Cancer Society, said, "We know the vaccine is effective."
However, HPV vaccination rates lag behind other vaccines, she said.
In many cases, doctors do not make the HPV vaccine a regular part of the vaccination schedule, she noted. "Doctors need to make the recommendation for the HPV vaccine with the same strength as they do other vaccines," Saslow said.
States' HPV Vaccination and Cervical Cancer Rates
Vaccination could prevent most cervical cancers, researcher notes
HPV is a very common sexually transmitted infection. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 14 million Americans, including teens, become infected with HPV each year.
The virus can raise the risk of cervical, vaginal and vulvar cancers in women and penile cancer in men. It is also associated with increased chances of anal cancer, mouth/throat cancer and genital warts in both men and women.
The CDC recommends the HPV vaccine for boys and girls at age 11 or 12, so they are protected before being exposed to the virus.
The HPV vaccine is given in three shots. The second shot is given one or two months after the first shot. A third shot is given six months after the first shot.
Debbie Saslow, director of breast and gynecologic cancer at the American Cancer Society, said, "We know the vaccine is effective."
However, HPV vaccination rates lag behind other vaccines, she said.
In many cases, doctors do not make the HPV vaccine a regular part of the vaccination schedule, she noted. "Doctors need to make the recommendation for the HPV vaccine with the same strength as they do other vaccines," Saslow said.
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