Paid Sponsorship by Atlantic Health Partners
When the human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccine was first introduced in 2006, the primary purpose was to prevent cervical cancer caused by HPV in pre-teen girls and young women. Since then, the vaccine has proven to serve a broader community and recognized to prevent six types of cancer by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Most recently, in June 2020, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) approved the HPV vaccine, Gardasil 9, to prevent oropharyngeal and other head and neck cancers caused by HPV. Particularly as in-person care visits resume, physicians and other health care providers have an opportunity to help patients catch up on preventive care measures they may have missed during the pandemic, including the HPV vaccine.
Head and neck cancers encompass a range of cancers that affect the larynx, throat, lips, mouth, nose, and salivary glands. While studies suggest that at least 75% of head and neck cancers are caused by tobacco and alcohol use, HPV is also a known cause of head and neck cancers; in particular oropharyngeal cancers.
Though the HPV vaccine is largely associated with young women, the American Cancer Society reports that men are twice as likely to have head and neck cancers compared to women, and that these types of cancers are more often diagnosed among people 50 years of age and older. It’s estimated that each year there are 3,500 new cases of HPV-associated oropharyngeal cancers diagnosed in women and about 16,200 new diagnoses in men, as noted by the CDC.
- Girls and boys aged 11 or 12 years should receive two doses of the vaccine
- Adults up to age 26 years who have not received the vaccine or are not adequately vaccinated should be vaccinated with two or three doses depending on their age of initial vaccination
- Adults aged 27 through 45 years should work with their physician or other health care provider to determine if they should receive the vaccine.
Recent studies have proved the effectiveness of the vaccine; results from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey found that, “HPV infections decreased by 86% in female teens aged 14 to 19 years and 71% in women in their early 20s.” The approval of the HPV vaccine to protect against head and neck cancers is yet another way that it can protect the health of adolescent patients as they move later into adulthood.
Despite the benefits of the HPV vaccine, CDC data suggests that only 54% of adolescents have received both doses of the vaccine. A recommendation from a physician or other health care provider for the HPV vaccine can serve a powerful role in improving vaccine uptake and protecting patients against the negative effects of HPV. By educating patients on the vaccine’s role in cancer prevention —of all kinds—physicians and other health care providers can empower patients to take advantage of the resources available to set themselves up for a healthy future.
For more information, please contact Cindy Berenson or Jeff Winokur by calling 800.741.2044 or sending an email to info@atlantichealthpartners.com.