HPV Infection

"HPV, or human papillomavirus, is a common virus that can cause cancers later in life. You can protect your child from these cancers with HPV vaccine at age 11–12 years.

HPV infections are common

HPV infections are very common. Nearly everyone will get HPV at some point in their lives.

• More than 42 million Americans are infected with types of HPV that cause disease.
• About 13 million Americans, including teens, become infected each year.

HPV is spread through intimate skin-to-skin contact. You can get HPV by having vaginal, anal, or oral sex with someone who has the virus, even if they don’t have signs or symptoms.

Some HPV infections can lead to cancer

Most HPV infections (9 out of 10) go away by themselves within 2 years. But sometimes, HPV infections will last longer and can cause some cancers. HPV infections can cause cancers of the:

• Cervix, vagina, and vulva
• Penis
• Anus
• Back of the throat (called oropharyngeal cancer), including the base of the tongue and tonsils

Every year in the United States, HPV causes about 36,000 cases of cancer in both men and women.

Prevent cancer with HPV vaccine

CDC recommends two doses of HPV vaccine at ages 11–12 years. HPV vaccination can be started at age 9 years.

Children who get the first dose before their 15^th birthday only need two doses. People who get the first dose on or after their 15^th birthday need three doses.

The HPV vaccine series is most effective when given before a person is exposed to the virus..."
HPV 

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccination

"When Should My Child Get the HPV Vaccine?

Dose #1

11–12 years

Dose #2

6–12 months after the first dose

Two doses of the HPV vaccine are recommended for all boys and girls at ages 11–12; the vaccine can be given as early as age 9. If you wait until they’re older, they may need three doses instead of two.

Children who start the vaccine series on or after their 15th birthday need three shots given over 6 months. If your teen hasn’t gotten the vaccine yet, talk to his/her doctor about getting it as soon as possible.

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Vaccines protect your child before they are exposed to a disease. That’s why the HPV vaccine is recommended earlier rather than later, to protect your child long before they are ever exposed to the virus.

Teens and young adults should be vaccinated too.

HPV vaccination is also recommended for everyone through age 26 years, if not vaccinated already.

Vaccination is not recommended for everyone older than age 26 years. However, some adults age 27 through 45 years who are not already vaccinated may decide to get HPV vaccine after speaking with their doctor about their risk for new HPV infections and the possible benefits of vaccination. HPV vaccination in this age range provides less benefit, as more people have already been exposed to HPV.

HPV vaccination is preventing cancer-causing infections and precancers.

HPV infections and cervical precancers (abnormal cells on the cervix that can lead to cancer) have dropped significantly since the vaccine has been in use.

• Among teen girls, infections with HPV types that cause most HPV cancers and genital warts have dropped 86 percent.
• Among young adult women, infections with HPV types that cause most HPV cancers and genital warts have dropped 71 percent.
• Among vaccinated women, the percentage of cervical precancers caused by the HPV types most often linked to cervical cancer has dropped by 40 percent..."
  HPV 

HPV Diseases and Cancers

"HPV infections can lead to certain to certain types of cancer in men and women. Whether you have a son or daughter, talk to your child’s doctor about the HPV vaccine to prevent these cancers.

6 types of cancer caused by HPV

HPV can cause cancers of the:

• Cervix, vagina, and vulva in women
• Penisexternal icon in men
• Anusexternal icon and back of the throat, including the base of the tongue and tonsils (oropharynx), in both women and men

Cancer often takes years, even decades, to develop after a person gets HPV. CDC recommends HPV vaccination at ages 11-12 to protect against these cancers.

There is no way to know which people who have HPV will develop cancer or other health problems. People with weakened immune systems (including individuals with HIV/AIDS) may be less able to fight off HPV and more likely to develop health problems from it..."
HPV

HPV Vaccine is Cancer Prevention for Boys, Too!

"Every year in the United States, over 13,000 men get cancers caused byhuman papillomavirus (HPV). HPV vaccination could prevent most of these cancers from ever developing.  

HPV is a common virus that infects both men and women. HPV is so common that 8 out of 10 people will get an HPV infection at some point in their lifetime. In most cases, HPV goes away on its own. But, sometimes, HPV infections don’t go away, and can cause certain cancers and other diseases.

HPV infections can cause cancers of the back of the throat (oropharyngeal cancer), anus, and penis in men. Cancers of the back of the throat have surpassed cervical cancer as the most common type of cancer caused by HPV. Unlike cervical cancer in women, there are no recommended screening tests for the other types of cancers that HPV causes, so they may not be found until they cause health problems.

HPV vaccine is recommended for preteen boys 11 or 12 years old.

Boys, like girls, should get the two doses of the HPV vaccine at age 11 or 12 to protect against cancer-causing HPV infections long before they are ever exposed.  The HPV vaccine series can be started as early as age 9, and should be finished before boys turn 13 years old.

If you haven’t already vaccinated your preteen or teen boys, it’s not too late. If your teen is 15 or older, and hasn’t started the HPV vaccine series, he will need 3 shots given over 6 months.."
HPV and boys

Fewer HPV Infections Mean Healthier Communities of Color

"Human papillomavirus (or HPV) can cause several types of cancer, and some communities of color have higher rates of these cancers. HPV vaccine can protect against cancers caused by HPV infection, protecting communities of color from these often devastating cancers.

About HPV

HPV is a very common and widespread virus. Nearly everyone will be infected in their lifetime. In most cases, HPV infections go away on their own and do not cause any health problems. But when HPV infections do not go away, they can cause cancer.

HPV can cause cervical cancer, as well as some cancers of the vulva, vagina, penis, and anus. HPV can also cause cancer in the back of the throat, including the base of the tongue and tonsils (oropharynx) in men and women. Cancer can take years, even decades, to develop after a person gets an HPV infection. While doctors routinely screen for cervical cancer, there are no recommended screening tests for other HPV cancers. These cancers may not be found until they cause health problems. To learn more about HPV and the types of cancers it causes, visit the Link Between HPV and Cancer.

Don’t miss an opportunity to protect your child from cancer. HPV vaccine is recommended for all girls and boys at ages 11-12 to protect against infections that can lead to cancer..."
HPV

Protect Your Daughters from Cervical Cancer

"HPV vaccination can protect your children from several types of cancers. For girls, this includes cervical cancer. For boys, HPV vaccination means stopping the spread of the virus, which results in the reduction of cervical and other HPV-related cancers.

Every year in the United States, 31,500 women and men are diagnosed with a cancer caused by HPV infection and more than 4,000 women die from cervical cancer, even with screening and treatment. Any woman can get cervical cancer, at any point in their lives. Cervical cancer doesn’t discriminate for age or how healthy a woman’s lifestyle may be. Cervical cancer, along with most other HPV-related cancers, can be prevented by receiving the HPV vaccine.

Vaccinating for HPV also protects women against the uncomfortable process of dealing with cervical “precancers.” Each year in the U.S. nearly 500,000 women endure invasive testing and treatment for lesions (changes in the cells) on the cervix that can develop into cancers. Procedures to eliminate these precancers are necessary to prevent cancer, but can have lasting effects on a woman..."

HPV and cervical cancer

Less HPV Infections Mean Healthier Communities of Color

"Human papillomavirus (or HPV) causes several types of cancers, and some communities of color have higher rates of these cancers. HPV vaccine can protect against cancers caused by HPV infection, protecting communities of color from these often devastating cancers.

About HPV

HPV is a very common and widespread virus. Nearly everyone will be infected in their lifetime. In most cases, HPV infections go away on their own and do not cause any health problems. But when HPV infections do not go away, they can cause cancer.

Cancers caused by HPV infection include cervical cancer, as well as some cancers of the vulva, vagina, penis, and anus. HPV can also cause cancer in the back of the throat, including the base of the tongue and tonsils (oropharynx). Cancer can take years, even decades, to develop after a person gets an HPV infection. While cervical cancer can be detected through screening, there is no routine screening for other cancers caused by HPV infection. To learn more about HPV and the types of cancers it causes, visit the Link Between HPV and Cancer.

How Cancers Caused by HPV Affect Communities of Color

Every year in the United States, an estimated 17,600 women and 9,300 men are diagnosed with a cancer caused by HPV.

• Black men have higher rates of anal cancer than white men.
• Hispanic men have higher rates of penile cancer than non-Hispanic men.
• Although Hispanic women have the highest rates of getting cervical cancer, Black women have the highest rates of dying of cervical cancer.³
• Black women also have higher rates of vaginal cancer than women of other races.^..."

HPV infections

HPV Vaccine is Cancer Prevention for Boys, Too!

"Boys need HPV vaccine, too. Here's why.

Every year in the United States around 11,000 men get cancers caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) infections. HPV infections that don’t go away can cause cancers of the anus and rectum, mouth/throat (oropharynx), and penis in men.

Cases of anal cancer and cancers of the mouth/throat are on the rise. Unlike cervical cancer, there are no screening tests for these cancers, so they are often caught at a later stage when they are more difficult to treat.

Many of the cancers caused by HPV infection in both men and women could be prevented by HPV vaccination. HPV vaccination is recommended by doctors and other health experts for both boys and girls at ages 11-12..."

HPV and boys

Protect Your Daughters from Cervical Cancer

"HPV vaccination can protect your children from several types of cancers, including cervical cancer. Get HPV vaccine for your sons and daughters at ages 11-12 to protect them from cancers caused by HPV infections.

Every year in the United States, 27,000 women and men are diagnosed with a cancer caused by HPV—that's a new case of HPV cancer every 20 minutes! About 17,600 of the cases are women, and roughly 4,000 women die from cervical cancer each year in the U.S.—even with screening and treatment..."
Cervical cancer

HPV in Communities of Color

"HPV Does Not Discriminate
HPV (human papillomavirus) is so common that almost everyone who becomes sexually active gets it at some point in their lives. Everyone is at risk of getting  HPV and the cancers related to this disease, which is why vaccination and screenings are so important. There are various factors that have increased the risk of HPV cancers in communities of color. Health disparity factors including socioeconomic status (SES) and limited access to healthcare services¹ have made it hard for minorities to overcome the burden of cancer..."
HPV and race

Minority Health and HPV

"The Impact of HPV
Human papillomavirus, also known as HPV, does not discriminate. Almost everyone who is sexually active will be infected with HPV sometime in his or her life. Most of the time, the infection goes away on its own, but sometimes HPV infections can lead to cancer. This happens among people in all communities, including in communities of color. Every year in the United States, about 17,500 women and 9,300 men are diagnosed with cancers probably caused by HPV..."
HPV and minorities

HPV Vaccine is Recommended for Boys

"Why do I need to protect my son against HPV-related diseases?
A lot of parents know that HPV vaccine protects girls against cervical cancer. But did you know that vaccinating boys can protect them against cancer, too?.."
HPV Vaccine Boys

HPV Vaccination (DVD)

"August is National Immunization Awareness Month. Learn more about a 13-minute DVD that effectively promotes and increases the completion of the 3-dose HPV vaccine series that prevents most types of cervical cancer..."
HPV vaccinations