National Immunization Awareness Month is a reminder
that we all need
vaccines throughout our lives.
HPV
vaccination is recommended for pre-teen girls and boys at age 11 or 12 years.
If your son or daughter hasn’t started or finished the HPV vaccine series yet –
it’s not too late! Now is a good time to ask their doctor or nurse about
vaccines for your pre-teens and teens.
HPV is
short for human papillomavirus. In the U.S. each year, there are about 18,000
women and 7,000 men affected by HPV-related cancers. In both women and men, HPV
can cause anal cancer and mouth/throat (oropharyngeal) cancer. It can also cause
cancers of the cervix, vulva and vagina in women, and cancer of the penis in
men. The HPV infections that cause these cancers could be prevented with vaccination.
The HPV
vaccine has a very good safety record. More than 46 million doses have been
distributed and vaccine safety studies continue to show that HPV vaccines are
safe.
Jacquelyn,
a real-life mother of two and cervical cancer survivor, shares her story:
When I
got a Pap test after my son was born, I found out I had cancer and needed a
total hysterectomy.
My
husband and I have been together for 15 years, and we were planning to have
more children. We are so grateful for our two wonderful children, but we were
hoping for more – which is not going to happen now.
Although
they caught the cancer early, I still have medical issues taking time away from
my family, my friends and my job.
Worse,
every time the doctor calls, I hold my breath until I get the results. Cancer
is always in the back of my mind.
I will
protect my son and daughter by getting them both the HPV vaccine as soon as
they turn 11. I tell everyone to get the HPV vaccine series to protect them
from this kind of cancer.
For more
information about the HPV vaccine and the other vaccines recommended for pre-teens
call the Monongalia County Health Department at 304-598-5119 or visit:
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