HPV (human papillomavirus) is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases in the United States today. In fact, many doctors (myself included), refer to HPV as the common cold of sexually transmitted diseases. HPV can spread through skin contact, is difficult to detect (especially in men), and usually runs its course within a year or two without causing any noticeable symptoms.
But the thing you should be most worried about is that some HPV strains can cause cancer. This is particularly true when a person has been repeatedly infected with different strains of HPV over time.
One of the most effective ways to prevent HPV – and something that can considerably reduce the risk of cervical and other forms of cancer – is having your child vaccinated before they reach their teen years. In one study of HPV as a cancer prevention strategy, 500 unvaccinated couples were given one HPV vaccination per couple. The results showed a direct connection between the vaccine and cancer prevention.
Another recent study found that girls born in Denmark between 1997 and 1999 who had gotten the HPV vaccine had no precancerous lesions. The researchers concluded that the vaccine was extremely helpful in the prevention of cervical cancer. They also felt that this protection probably extends to other cancers linked to HPV.
Controversy About HPV Vaccine
Regrettably, HPV vaccine has gotten a bad rap in some media. There have been online campaigns against the vaccine (and, for that matter, against all vaccines), and even respected news anchors have recounted stories that focus on the rare negative effects of the vaccine. As a result, the positive attributes of the vaccine have been either minimized or ignored.
This negative press has created several misconceptions about the vaccine, which has been proven again and again to be beneficial. More importantly, it can save lives by preventing both the spread of HPV and cancers linked to the virus.
So, who should be vaccinated? Unfortunately, those who have already been exposed to the virus will benefit less (or are not at all) from the vaccine. So it’s important to have your children vaccinated while they are young. Age 9 is the recommended earliest age for a child to be vaccinated against HPV, but most doctors agree that between ages 11 and 13 is best. In particular, young women should be vaccinated, because cervical cancer is the most common cancer that can be triggered by HPV.
Because of its potential life-saving effects against cancer, and the fact that it’s a front-line preventive measure against HPV, there is every reason to have your child vaccinated. It’s a simple long-term investment you can make for your child’s health.