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Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a virus that affects many people, and it can lead to certain types of cancer. Most commonly, HPV can cause cervical cancer in women. It’s estimated that 80 percent of women will contract HPV in their lifetime, making it essential to understand why the HPV vaccine prevents the disease. Also, it can also cause anal and oral cancer in both men and women. Fortunately, there is now a vaccine available that helps protect against HPV infection and the types of cancer it causes. Let’s take a closer look at what HPV is and how the vaccine can help protect against it.
What is HPV?
HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States. It is passed through skin-to-skin contact, usually during sexual activity. It affects both men and women, though it’s more likely to affect women than men due to differences in anatomy. There are many different types of HPV; some cause warts on the hands or feet, while other types are linked to certain kinds of cancers, including cervical, anal, and oral cancers.
Types of HPV That Cause Cancer
Two main types of HPV can lead to cancer: type 16 and type 18. These two strains are responsible for about 70% of all cases of cervical cancer worldwide. Other types of HPV (types 6 & 11) are responsible for causing genital warts but do not typically lead to cancer development. Some research has also found that people infected with type 16 or 18 may be at an increased risk for other cancers such as oropharyngeal (throat), vulvar, vaginal, penile, or rectal cancer as well.
The Vaccine That Can Help Protect Against Cervical Cancer
Fortunately, there is now a vaccine available that helps protect against these two strains of HPV—and thus helps protect against developing cervical cancer. This vaccine—called Gardasil 9—is recommended for girls and young women between the ages of 9-26 years old who have not yet been exposed to either strain of the virus (type 16 or 18). The vaccine works by stimulating your body’s immune system so that if you ever come into contact with either strain of HPV after receiving the vaccine, your body will be able to fight off the virus before it has time to develop into cancerous cells within your body.
It’s important for everyone—especially those in their teens through early twenties—to understand how dangerous Human Papillomavirus can be if left untreated or undiagnosed early enough before it develops into one form or another kind of cancer like cervical cancer or anal/oral/vulvar/vaginal/penile/or rectal cancers for example. The good news is that there is now a Gardasil 9 vaccine available which helps protect against both type 16 & 18 strains which are responsible for causing 70%+ cases worldwide from developing into any variant form(s)of life-threatening cancers. So make sure you educate yourself and your loved ones about this life-saving information & get vaccinated when necessary!
