New HPV Vaccine Helps Prevent Cancer
HPV/Cancer Prevention Vaccine Overview
The FDA recently approved a vaccine against human papilloma virus, or HPV. The HPV virus is responsible for most cases of cervical cancer. The vaccine also offers some protection for women against vulvar and vaginal cancers. The HPV Vaccine is an important advancement in medicine because it is the first vaccine that can truly help prevent cancer.
Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)
HPV is a very common sexually transmitted virus. Most people who have ever had sex, both men and women, have been infected at some point in their lives. Most people never even know they've had HPV because the virus usually doesn't cause any symptoms.
Sometimes, though, the virus doesn't go away. If the virus lingers in a woman's cervix, it can cause changes that may eventually lead to cervical cancer.
What the HPV Vaccine does
Two vaccines are being developed. Both help protect against 2 strains of HPV. These 2 strains are responsible for about 70% of all cervical cancers and most vaginal and vulvar cancers.
One vaccine, Gardisil (by Merck) is available now. It also protects against 2 other HPV strains that cause about 90% of cases of genital warts. The other vaccine, Cervarix (by GlaxoSmithKline) will be available soon.
The vaccine cannot protect against HPV types that a woman has already been exposed to. To help protect against cervical cancer, the HPV vaccine has to be given before infection. The vaccine is given in 3 separate shots over a period of 6 months.
Regular Pap tests still important
The vaccine does not decrease the need for regular Pap tests and pelvic exams. Even though the vaccines target the HPV types that most often cause cancer, the vaccines do not protect against all HPV types. There are as many as 100 strains of the virus, and some of the others can also cause cancer.
Who the vaccine is recommended for
The FDA has approved the vaccine for girls and women ages 9 to 26. The federal Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommends that girls receive the vaccine between the ages of 11 and 12. Pediatricians, family doctors, obstetrician-gynecologists and internists are expected to offer the vaccine to girls in this age group
There are two reasons the immunization is recommended for preteen girls and girls in their early teens. First, it ensures that it is received before possible exposure to the virus. Second, it is timed for the best response from the immune system.
Some providers are recommending the vaccination for adult women. The importance of the vaccine at a young age and before possible exposure is widely agreed upon. The effectiveness for older women and women with possible exposure is less clear.
Availability in Oregon
The HPV vaccine was released nationally. It is already available in many health centers. Others may have the vaccine on order. Ask your health care provider and the availability of the vaccine where you obtain your care.
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Sources and Links for More Information
Please see links and resources below for the following topics:
Or download the list of resources and links for HPV Vaccine and cervical cancer in a printable format. (Requires Adobe® Reader® - install now).
American Cancer Society
800 227-2345 (1-800-ACS-2345)
Home: http://www.cancer.org
HPV Vaccine Info: http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_6x_FAQ_HPV_Vaccines.asp
Information for clinicians: American Cancer Society Guidelines Vaccine Guildelines for Medical Providers for the Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
Vaccine (Requires Adobe® Reader® - install now)
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
202 638-5577
Home: http://www.acog.org
HPV Vaccine Info: http://www.acog.org/from_home/publications/press_releases/nr08-08-06.cfm
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
800 311-3435
Home: http://www.cdc.gov
HPV Vaccine Info: http://www.cdc.gov/std/hpv/STDFact-HPV-vaccine.htm
FAQ: http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd-vac/hpv/vac-faqs.htm
Downloads: http://www.cdc.gov/std/HPV/common-downloads.htm - en español -
American College of Physicians
800 523-1546
Home: http://www.acponline.org
HPV Vaccine Info: http://www.acponline.org/fcgi/pierpi.pl?module=d1011
Kids Health from Nemours Foundation (written for teens)
Home: http://www.kidshealth.org
HPV Vaccine Info: http://www.kidshealth.org/teen/sexual_health/stds/hpv_vaccine.html
National Cancer Institute
800 422-6237 (1-800-4-CANCER)
Home: http://www.cancer.gov
HPV Vaccine Info: http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/hpv-vaccines and
http://www.cancer.gov/images/Documents/31799a1e-2b27-4184-9264-a60ad9a1a054/fs4_21.pdf
National Network for Immunization Information
409 772-0199
Home: http://www.immunizationinfo.org
HPV Vaccine Info: http://www.immunizationinfo.org/vaccineInfo/vaccine_detail.cfv?id=53
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
888 463-6332 (1-888-INFO-FDA)
Home: http://www.fda.gov
HPV Vaccine Info: http://www.fda.gov/womens/getthefacts/pdfs/hpv.pdf
Women’s Cancer Network
312 578-1439
Home: http://www.cervicalcancercampaign.org
HPV Vaccine Info: http://www.cervicalcancercampaign.org/vaccine_faq.aspx
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American Cancer Society
800 227-2345 (1-800-ACS-2345)
Home: http://www.cancer.org
Pap Screening Info: http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_4_3X_Can_cervical_cancer_be_found_early_8.asp
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
202 638-5577
Home: http://www.acog.org
Pap Screening Info: http://www.acog.org/publications/patient_education/bp085.cfm
American College of Physicians
800 523-1546
Home: http://www.acponline.org
National Cancer Institute
800 422-6237
Home: http://www.cancer.gov
Pap Screening Info: http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Detection/Pap-test and
http://www.cancer.gov/cancerinfo/pap-tests-older-women
National Women’s Health Information Center
800 994-9662
Home: http://www.womenshealth.gov
Pap Screening Info: http://www.4woman.gov/faq/pap.htm
American Cancer Society
800 ACS-2345
Home: http://www.cancer.org
Cervical Cancer Info: http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/CRI_2_3x.asp?dt=8
American College of Physicians
800 523-1546
Home: http://www.acponline.org
Cervical Cancer Info: http://www.acponline.org/fcgi/pierpi.pl?module=d643
Cancer Research and Prevention Foundation
800 227-2732
Home: http://www.preventcancer.org
Cervical Cancer Info: http://www.preventcancer.org/healthyliving/cancerinfo/cervical.cfm
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
800 311-3435
Home: http://www.cdc.gov
Cervical Cancer Info: http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/cervical/gynecologic.htm
Gynecologic Cancer Foundation
800 444-4441
Home: http://www.wcn.org
Cervical Cancer info: http://www.wcn.org/interior.cfm?featureid=1&diseaseid=3&topicid=&contenttypeid=&contentfile=
National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program
888 842-6355 (select option 7)
Home: http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/nbccedp/index.htm
Cervical Cancer Info: http://apps.nccd.cdc.gov/cancercontacts/nbccedp/contact.asp?contactId=143
National Cancer Institute
800 422-6237
Home: http://www.cancer.gov
Cervical Cancer Info: http://www.cancer.gov/cancerinfo/types/cervical,
http://www.cancer.gov/espanol/sabersobre/cervix and
http://www3.cancer.gov/hpb/vietnamese/cervical/
National Cervical Cancer Coalition
800 685-5531
Home: http://www.nccc-online.org
National HPV and Cervical Cancer Resource Center (American Social Health Association)
800 227-8922
http://www.ashastd.org/learn/learn_hpv_dysplasia.cfm#3
National Women’s Health Information Center
800 994-9662
Home: http://www.womenshealth.gov
Cervical Cancer Info: http://womenshealth.gov/faq/ccervix.htm
Oregon Partnership for Cancer Control
971 673-0984
http://www.oregon.gov/DHS/ph/cancer/index.shtml
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American Association of Family Physicians
Home: http://www.familydoctor.org
HPV Info: http://familydoctor.org/389.xml
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
800 311-3435
Home: http://www.cdc.gov
HPV Info: http://www.cdc.gov/std/HPV/STDFact-HPV.htm
National Cancer Institute
800 422-6237 (1-800-4-CANCER)
Home: http://www.cancer.gov
HPV info: http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Risk/HPV and
http://www.cancer.gov/images/Documents/6256964a-8613-4477-9918-08b3d4b59add/fs3_20.pdf
National HPV and Cervical Cancer Resource Center (American Social Health Association)
800 227-8922
Home: http://www.ashastd.org
HPV Info: http://www.ashastd.org/hpv/hpv_overview.cfm
National Women’s Health Information Center
877 986-9472
Home: http://www.healthywomen.org
HPV Info: http://www.healthywomen.org/healthtopics/humanpapillomavirus
United States Food and Drug Administration
888 463-6332 (1-888-INFO-FDA)
Home: http://www.fda.gov
HPV Info: http://www.fda.gov/womens/getthefacts/hpv.html
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Please Note
This Web site is not intended to substitute or replace the professional medical advice you receive from your physician. The content provided here is for informational purposes only, and was not designed to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease. Please consult your physician with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your health care.
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