Page 48 - Pat Brown (1)

Dear Dr. Sudi,
ree years ago, my favorite aunt died of cervical cancer caused by HPV. I’ve heard
that there is a vaccine to protect against HPV, and I plan to have my daughter
vaccinated. When’s the best time to do that? Can my son be vaccinated, too?

You are right to be concerned! It has been estimated that 75 to 80 percent of sexually active adults
will acquire a Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection before they reach the age of 50, with over
half being first exposed between 15 and 25. Most will not realize they have been infected and the
infection will clear up on its own within two to three years, although it can also go dormant and
later return.

On average, 10 to 20 percent of those infected will develop a more persistent form of the disease
which may in time develop into cervical cancer. Every year, 12,000 women are diagnosed with
HPV-induced cervical cancer.
HPV is spread by skin-to-skin contact, including sexual intercourse, oral sex, anal sex, or any
other contact with the genital area. People cannot become infected with HPV by touching an
object, such as a toilet seat. The only sure way to prevent exposure to HPV is to be in a mutually
monogamous sexual relationship. It may also help to reduce the number of sex partners and use
48 a latex condom, which may prevent some but not all HPV transmission.

There are many types of HPV that affect different parts of the body, however, not all will present
as warts and not all will cause cervical cancer. The good news is that there are vaccines available
for the most prevalent types of genital warts.

The Gardasil® vaccine helps to prevent the two strains of HPV that cause 90 percent of genital
warts, as well as the two strains that cause 70 percent of cervical cancer. The vaccine is given by
injection and requires three doses; the first injection is followed by a second after two months,
and a third six months later.
Your daughter can begin the vaccinations as early as age 9. It is important that the vaccine be
administered before she becomes sexually active and has had an opportunity to be exposed to
HPV. In general, HPV vaccination is recommended for all girls and women who are between
ages 9 and 26 years.
And yes, you can have your son vaccinated, too! The Gardasil® vaccine has been approved
for use in boys and men, 9 through 26 years old. By vaccinating your son, his female partners
will be protected from any infection he might have passed on. The vaccine will also reduce the
discomfort of genital warts he might otherwise experience as well as help prevent penile cancer.

Be sure to take care of yourself as well! If you are over 26 and have not had the Gardasil®
vaccine, be sure to have regular pap smears so that any cervical irregularities can be caught
early on.

Photography by Jaime V. Habert