Grace Advertising & Consulting, Inc.

- 9 - accessHealthNews.net June 2022 Volume 8 | Issue No. 58 O nly one vaccine exists which has the power to prevent oral human papillomavirus (HPV): the HPV vaccine. Every hour, someone dies of oral or oropharyngeal cancer. An estimated 54,000 cases will be diagnosed this year in the U.S. Of that number, 43% will not survive beyond five years, largely because these cancers are often discovered late in development. Those who do survive regularly face long-term consequences, such as facial disfigurement or trouble eating or speaking. HPV is a commonplace disease. In the U.S., 80% will be infected with HPV at some point in their lives, and 43 million Americans have it now. Each year brings 13 million new infections. It is spread through skin-to-skin contact, and many may never know they are infected, as it often causes no symptoms. For the majority of people, HPV will go away without causing any problems — but it is impossible to tell who will develop complications and who will not. HPV can lead to over six types of cancer. In addition to cancers it is associated with, such as cervical cancer, it is the leading cause of oropharyngeal cancer, 70% of which HPV causes in the U.S. With smoking on the decline, HPV is at fault for an increasing portion of oral cancers, too. More than 150 different strains of HPV exist, but HPV-16 causes 60% of the oral cancers. Gardasil 9 has been the only HPV vaccine given in the U.S. It protects against type 6 and 11, which cause 90% of genital warts; types 16 and 18, high-risk strains that cause 70% of cervical cancers and an even higher percentage of other HPV-related cancers; and types 31, 33, 45, 52, and 58, which are all high-risk HPVs that account for another 10%-20% of cervical cancers. In short, it covers the majority of the HPV strains that cause cancers. The CDC recommends giving the HPV vaccine routinely to children ages 11 to 12 and as early as age 9. If it is given on time between 9 and 14 years of age, two doses are recommended six to 12 months apart, ideally six. On or after 15 years, a three-dose regimen is recommended, with the second dose one to two months after the first, and the third dose six months after the first. However, while most people associate this time frame purely with when they expect a child to become sexually active, and therefore conclude that 11 to 12 years old is too young, immune response is another key reason why the HPV vaccine is best given at such a young age. It's best to receive the vaccine between the ages of 9 and 12 because the immune system at that age responds better, so better coverage is achieved. According to the National Foundation of Infectious Diseases, people below 15 years have twofold to threefold higher HPV antibody levels after HPV vaccination compared to those 16-26 years old. Despite this data, people older than 26 are still encouraged to get the vaccine, as they can still derive benefit. The first HPV vaccine was given in 2006, and under careful watch from scientists and medical professionals alike, it has performed without incident since. In the U.S. 120 million doses have been given. No serious side effects have ever been recorded, and cervical cancer has dropped 88% since the vaccines became commonplace. The vaccine is effective prevention against 6 types of cancer, meaning about 34,000 cancers are prevented each year because of HPV vaccination. Vaccination rates vary by state, with a high of 79% of adolescents up to date on HPV vaccination in Rhode Island. Missouri's rate is only 53.6%, well below the national average of 58.6%, making Missouri 27th in the nation for HPV vaccination. More than 150 different strains of HPV exist, but HPV-16 causes 60% of the oral cancers. READ MORE

• Cover