The HPV vaccine can be a lifesaver

If I said I had a vaccine, one or two shots, that would prevent certain cancers, what would you say? You’d certainly be interested.

You’d ask, “What are the side effects?” I’d tell you they could include pain at the injection site and a fever, possibly some swelling where the shot was given.

Then you might ask, “How long has the vaccine been around?” In this case, it’s about 20 years, which is long enough for significant other side effects to show up, if there were any. Then you’d probably ask about the cost, if it’s covered by insurance and so on.

Now, what if this vaccine had to be given to your child? You’d be especially careful and probably ask a few more questions, such as, “Do you think it’s worthwhile?” And the answer is yes.

I’m talking about HPV, human papillomavirus, and the vaccine is incredibly worthwhile.

Recent research in the Journal of the American Medical Association’s Oncology publication showed an 84% reduction in cervical cancer among women who received the vaccine, especially if they received the second shot requirement at a young age like 10, 11 or 12.

This new study also showed what the vaccine did for men. There was a reduction of 50% in cancers of the esophagus, head and neck cancers, and anal and penile cancers, compared to those who did not get the shots.

By the way, the study was a big one, following more than 2 million males over time, meaning the data is robust.

When I first started writing about the HPV vaccine, there were many parents who did not want to give their kids the shots. They worried it would encourage them to have sex at a young age.

My answer when discussing that was, when you tell your child they’re getting vaccinated, also tell them this is to keep them healthy. You don’t really have to discuss premarital sex with a 9- or 10-year-old if you don’t feel the time is right.

The good news is that over time, attitudes about the HPV vaccine have changed. Right now, the best data shows that about 78% of adolescents have received the vaccine, at least one dose, with about 63% receiving the full series of two shots. This change is dramatic.

What’s remarkable about this new research is that it shows the shot is just as good for cancers that affect men and women both.

I had a patient a few years ago who had cancer of the tongue, which was from HPV. He was in his 70s and went for treatment to Sloan Kettering in New York, which specializes in radiating the tongue for these types of cancers.

Unfortunately, his cancer was not cured by the radiation. The treatment left his tongue tender all the time, and last I heard, the cancer had spread to other organs. If he’d had the HPV vaccine, this would never have happened.

The other person I know with an HPV cancer worked in Hawaii; he was a friend of a friend. He developed head and neck lymphoma from HPV and underwent lots of chemotherapy and radiation. He survived for about four years and then died.

This man talked openly about his cancer with friends and relatives. As a pillar of the community where he lived, he also talked about it to young people whenever he could. He was a longtime surfer, well-known in the Maui community, and was out there in the open sharing the importance of getting the HPV vaccine.

By the way, the vaccine does have some effect when given up to age 45, but it’s best when administered to young people.

My spin: There’s lots of rubbish out there when it comes to vaccines. If you’re really interested in your health, read about the HPV vaccine, learn about it, learn how to separate the rubbish from the truth.

The vaccine is best given to kids, but if you are sexually active, if you or your sex partner have had multiple partners in the past, get vaccinated if you haven’t already. It might save your life. Stay well.