The Secret to Preventing Cervical Cancer

January 2020

January is Cervical Health Awareness Month and we would like you to know that there is no secret to preventing cervical cancer.  It involves simple steps:  vaccinating early and getting screened regularly.

Vaccinate early:  it is recommended that males and females be vaccinated against Human Papillomavirus (HPV) at age 11-12.  The vaccine produces a stronger immune response when taken during the preteen years, but everyone can be vaccinated through age 45.

Screen regularly:  Females should start with a Pap test at age 21 and an HPV test starting at age 30.  Talk with your doctor about how often you should be screened for each test.

Most cervical cancers are associated with HPV, which is spread through intimate skin-to-skin or sexual contact.  HPV is very common and most sexually active individuals in the U.S. will become infected with HPV in their lifetime.  In most cases, the virus is cleared by the body's immune system within two years, but when that doesn't occur, HPV infections can lead to cancers of the cervix, vagina, vulva, anus, penis, and throat.

Gardasil 9 is an HPV vaccine approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for both males and females.

In females aged 9 to 45, it helps to protect against:

The HPV vaccine is recommended for administration starting at age 11 or 12, although it can be given as early as age 9 and as late as 45.  It is ideal for males and females to receive the vaccine before they have sexual contact and are exposed to HPV.  Research has shown that receiving the vaccine at a young age isn't linked to an earler start of sexual activity.

If a person already has one strain of HPV, s/he can still benefit from the vaccine because it can protect against other strains that the person doesn't yet have. 

Based on ongoing assessments of the safety of this vaccine, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the FDA continue to find that this vaccine is a safe and effective vaccine. 

The HPV vaccine does not prevent all HPV types that can cause cancer, so a female who is vaccinated should still get regular Pap tests.  Pap tests remain an essential part of preventive health care as they can help to detect abnormal (changed) cells early, before they turn into cancer.  Most deaths from cervical cancer could be prevented by regular screenings and follow-up care.

Drop by to ask us any questions about this vaccine or your insurance coverage.  Find out if Gardasil 9 is right for you or a loved one, as there are contraindications.

References and more information: