There are two types of vaccines, or shots, that you can take to help prevent cancer or reduce your cancer risks. Both vaccines prevent viral infections that are known to cause several types of cancer. The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine prevents the virus responsible for cervical, head, neck, and other cancers. The hepatitis B vaccine protects against a virus that infects the liver and may lead to liver cancer.
Get the HPV Vaccine
Who: Doctors recommend boys and girls get the HPV vaccination series at ages 11-12, when other adolescent vaccines are also recommended. Children can start being protected at age 9. Teenagers and young adults who did not get vaccinated when they were younger should get it now.
What: UT Southwestern offers the Gardasil®9 vaccine that protects against six different HPV strains that cause most cases of HPV-related cancers and genital warts.
Why: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates approximately 80% of people will become infected with HPV in their lifetime. Most will clear their infection, but for some the infection will persist. This can lead to cancers of the cervix, vulva, vagina, penis, or anus. Persistent HPV infection can also cause cancer in the back of the throat, including the base of the tongue and tonsils (called oropharyngeal cancer). Cancers caused by HPV usually do not have symptoms until they are quite advanced, making them harder to treat. That’s why it’s important to receive the vaccine and prevent infection from HPV.
Learn more: What is HPV?
