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Innovations is a community publication of the University of Hawai ‘ i Cancer Center , produced with support from the Friends of the University of Hawai ‘ i Cancer Center . If you have comments or suggestions , please call 808-586-3010 or visit www . uhcancercenter . org .
Randall F . Holcombe , MD , MBA , Director University of Hawai ‘ i Cancer Center
Monica McLaren , President Friends of the University of Hawai ‘ i Cancer Center
Sharon Shigemasa , RN , MS – Editor Events and Information Coordinator University of Hawai ‘ i Cancer Center
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Preventing Cancers through HPV Vaccination
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Beginning fall 2020 , all Hawai ‘ i students entering the 7th grade must provide documentation that they have received Human Papillomavirus ( HPV ), Tdap ( tentanus-diptheria-pertusis ) and MCV ( meningococcal conjugate ) vaccinations . The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) recommends HPV vaccination for all preteens at age 11 or 12 years . Studies indicate that younger adolescents produce a stronger immune response to the vaccine than older adolescents and young adults .
HPV is a group of more than 200 related viruses . Most are low-risk types and typically cause no disease , but 14 high-risk types can cause genital , anal and oropharyngeal cancers . HPV infections are very common , and nearly all men and women will get at least one type of HPV sometime in their lives . In the U . S . about 14 million people , including teens , become infected with HPV each year with about half of new infections occurring among persons age 15 to 24 years . Infection with high-risk HPV types can persist and cause cancers many years later . In Hawai ‘ i , an estimated total of 155 HPV-associated cancers were reported each year between 2011-2015 , and of these approximately 112 could have been prevented each year with the HPV vaccine .
HPV vaccines are safe and effective , provide close to 100 percent protection against HPV precancers . and are best given prior to exposure to HPV . The vaccine has a safety record backed by 12 years of monitoring and research . Since the vaccine was first recommended in 2006 , HPV infections and precancers have significantly deceased .
The UH Cancer Center is actively engaged in the Hawai ‘ i Comprehensive Cancer ( HCC ) Coalition ’ s Vaccine-Preventable Cancers ( VPC ) Workgroup that was instrumental in updating the statewide immunization requirements policy ( Hawai ‘ i Administrative Rule ( HAR ) Title 11 , Chapter 157 ). “ HPV vaccination is an important tool for cancer prevention . Widespread vaccination of school-age children will reduce their risk of cancer as adults ,” states UH Cancer Center researcher Brenda Hernandez , PhD , MPH , VPC member and HCC Coalition chair .