Cancer Trends Progress Report

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a common virus that is spread through sexual contact. Some types of HPVs can cause genital warts, and other types, called high-risk or oncogenic HPVs, can cause cancer. High-risk HPVs cause virtually all cervical cancers, most anal cancers, and some vaginal, vulvar, penile, and oropharyngeal cancers. Many HPV infections go away on their own within 1 to 2 years. However, infections that last for many years increase a person’s risk of developing cancer.

HPV vaccines work like other immunizations (a technique used to cause an immune response that results in resistance to a specific disease) that guard against viral infections. HPV vaccines prevent the most common types of HPV that cause cancer and genital warts.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved two HPV vaccines, Gardasil® and Cervarix®, which are both designed to be given to people in two doses. Children ages 11-12 are recommended to receive two doses of HPV vaccine at least six months apart rather than the previously recommended three doses. Teens and young adults who start the series later, at ages 15-26 years, will continue to need three doses of the HPV vaccine. Gardasil is approved for use in males and females aged 9 to 26 years. Cervarix is approved for use in females aged 9 to 25 years. Both vaccines are highly effective in preventing infections with HPV types 16 and 18. Gardasil also prevents infection with HPV types 6 and 11.

Both Gardasil and Cervarix are proven to be effective only if given before infection with HPV, so it is recommended that they be given before an individual is sexually active. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommends that the vaccinations (both for females, and only Gardasil for males) be given routinely at ages 11 or 12.

Because the vaccines do not protect against all HPV infections that cause cervical cancer, it is important for vaccinated women to continue to undergo cervical cancer screening.