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FACTS
Knowledge is power. When we know the facts, we have a better chance of protecting ourselves and our loved ones. Whether you are considering the vaccine for your child or you’re a survivor of this horrible virus—it is important to understand HPV and what the options are. Only then can we make informed decisions and educate others so they can do the same.
HPV FACTS
VACCINE FACTS
HPV FACTS
HPV is one mean and widespread virus which can potentially cause terminal cancer. This tiny and seemingly inconsequential thing can change, or even end your life or the life of someone you know and love. It is serious. Educate yourself about what it is and do something to protect yourself and others.
WHAT IS HPV?
The Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a viral infection, just like the flu. The difference is that this virus can lead to cancers. There are more than 150 strains of HPV out there, and most of them aren’t anything to worry about. However, there are about 14 different strains that can potentially lead to 6 different cancers.
HOW COMMON IS HPV?
According to the CDC, pretty much everyone who is sexually active will contract at least one strain of HPV, if they aren’t vaccinated. Or to put it into numbers, “about 79 million Americans are currently infected with HPV. About 14 million people become newly infected each year.” In other words, your mom probably has it, your grandfather probably has it, and just about everyone you know or meet has or had this virus.
HOW IS HPV SPREAD?
Through skin-to-skin contact. This means it cannot be spread through bodily fluids like blood or spit. However, the delicate skin of the vagina, vulva, penis, anus and throat are the most likely to get an HPV infection. This means that this virus is passed most commonly during sex. That’s why anyone who is sexually active is at risk for HPV, even if you’ve only had sex with one person. Keep in mind that most people with the virus do not show any symptoms, or do not show symptoms for years after contracting the virus. So, there is no way of knowing if sexual partners are carrying the virus. This makes it extremely important that you schedule regular checkups and talk to your doctor about your sexual activity and your personal risks for HPV.
IS IT REALLY THAT SERIOUS?
There are over 150 strains of HPV, but only 14 that are serious. Of these, HPV-16 and HPV-18 cause the highest risk for cancer. The rest of the strains will likely have mild to no symptoms. For those who are carrying around the strains that could lead to cancer, many do not experience any symptoms until years later. There is no way of telling if any sexual partners have the virus and could pass it on to you. Although only those of us with a cervix are able to have a Pap smear to check for cancerous or precancerous cells, anyone can talk to their provider about their risk of HPV infection.
WHAT ABOUT ALL THE STRAINS THAT DON'T CAUSE CANCER?
HPV strains are very different when it comes to the symptoms and risk factors. The large majority of them are considered “low-risk” because they don’t increase your risk for cancer. In fact, most people will experience no symptoms and will clear the virus without ever knowing they were exposed to HPV. However, some of them may cause genital warts. The good news is that they are not associated with cancer.
WHAT CAN I DO ABOUT IT?
This is the good news. There is a vaccine for HPV! It is called Gardasil®9. It protects us from the major cancer-causing strains including HPV 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52, and 58 which can lead to cancer as well as 6 and 11 which cause 90% of genital warts. That’s amazing.
You need to get vaccinated before any sexual activity, so the target age group is 11-12 and up to age 45. The vaccine does not clear any strains that you have already been exposed to, which is why we encourage the vaccine early on. It will still protect you from any that you haven’t contracted, so it may be worth talking to your healthcare provider.
Barrier methods like condoms are still somewhat effective at protecting from the virus, but it is not 100%. Because the virus is passed through skin-to-skin contact, any skin exposed will still be at risk.
Regular screenings and checkups are also important to ensure that any possible cancers are caught as early as possible. It is also essential that you talk to your friends and family about the dangers of HPV and encourage them to get vaccinated and screened.
VACCINE FACTS
This is the incredible thing: there is a vaccine that prevents HPV-caused cancers! What?! That’s right. It is called Gardasil®9 and it is a vaccine against cancer for both girls and boys. So, what on Earth is everyone waiting for? Let’s protect ourselves and those we love.
AN OVERVIEW
The vaccine we’re talking about here is Gardasil®9, the leading vaccine against HPV-related cancers and diseases. This vaccine protects against 9 of the 150+ strains of HPV that cause the large majority of cancer and disease.
According to the CDC, there are an average of 43,999 HPV-caused cancers diagnosed each year and an estimated 92% of these could be prevented by vaccine.
WHAT DOES THE VACCINE PROTECT AGAINST?
The Gardasil®9 protects us from the major cancer-causing strains including HPV 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52, and 58 which can lead to cancer. It also protects against 6 and 11 as well, which cause 90% of genital warts.
For girls:
- Cervical Cancer
- Vulvar and vaginal cancers
- Anal cancer
- Certain head and neck cancers
- Genital Warts
- Cervical Dysplasia
For boys:
- Anal cancer
- Penile cancer
- Certain head and neck cancers
- Genital Warts
IS THE VACCINE SAFE?
Yes. The answer is simple. It has been tested thoroughly in over 74,000 men and women and more than 170 million doses have been administered globally. Of those in the clinical trials, any potential side effects occurred at the same rate for those who were given the vaccine as those who were given the placebo. Any new complications that arise are continuously monitored by both the CDC and the FDA.
The vaccine doesn’t contain any HPV virus — not dead or alive — and it also doesn’t contain any DNA from the virus. So, it cannot cause cancer or other HPV related illnesses.
All vaccinations and medicine can potentially have minor side effects like soreness where the shot was given, nausea and feeling faint. You should talk to your doctor if you’re concerned about any of these.
If you have any additional concerns about the safety of the vaccine, please talk to your physician about your questions rather than turning to the internet for your answers. Here is a list of questions you can take to your physician to make sure you feel comfortable about taking the vaccine or giving it to your children.
WHO SHOULD GET THE VACCINE?
Alright, so here’s what you need to know about who should get the vaccine. The virus is spread through skin-to-skin contact and that sensitive skin around the genitals are at the most risk for spreading the virus. So, the virus is most commonly spread through sexual contact. Logically, the best way to prevent anyone from getting HPV is to get the vaccine before they even think about becoming sexually active.
This is why the target age range for the vaccine is both boys and girls between 11 and 12. We want the vaccine to be effective before the thought of sex is even a consideration. This way they will be protected when that part of their life begins, whenever that may be.
There are more than 150 strains of HPV and about 14 million people are newly infected each year. This virus is extremely widespread and the vaccine only protects against the most likely cancer-causing strains of the virus that you have not been exposed to. It won’t protect against strains that you have already contracted.
BEFORE 15: The best chance of the vaccine having the best effect and preventing the most common cancer and disease causing strains of HPV is between the ages of 11 and 12.
15-26 YEARS OLD: If you didn’t receive the vaccine before you were 15, it is still important that you receive the vaccine as early as possible. Keep in mind that you will not be protected from any strains of the virus that you have already come in contact with, but it will protect you from those 9 strains that you have not yet met. Talk to your physician about getting started.
27-45 YEARS OLD: It may still be worthwhile for you to receive the vaccine. Again, the vaccine will not have any effect on any versions of the virus that you’ve already come in contact with but it will protect you against any strains you haven’t seen yet. Please, talk to your physician about whether or not the vaccine is right for you.
HOW LONG DOES THE VACCINE LAST?
The vaccine is long-lasting and good for at least 10 years, although research suggests that it lasts much longer and is possibly good for life. However, if you have questions about this, please talk with your healthcare provider.
WILL I STILL NEED TO RECEIVE PAP SMEARS AND SCREENINGS?
Yes, if you have a cervix, it is still extremely important that you still get your pap smears and screenings because these screenings catch any cancerous or precancerous cells. Even if you have received the vaccine, please continue with all of your check-ups and encourage others to do the same.
GIVE ME THE SCIENCE
Need some more information? Please make sure that you check the references on the material that you read online about HPV-caused cancers and the virus. Here are a few of our favorite resources from scientists we trust.
CANCER.GOV – HPV VACCINE FACT SHEET
YOU ARE NOT ALONE.
Coping with cancer isn’t just about doctors and medicine, it’s also about finding your own way through the emotional and mental toll. Finding support is a crucial part of the journey. For those who are living with HPV-caused cancers and those whose loved ones are struggling with this, here are some of the resources that we’ve found helpful.
