US oncologists are urging pediatricians the use of HPV vaccine to decrease the high rates of cancer caused by the virus in young populations.

Earlier this year, the CDC published a study in which it was showed that the prevalence of HPV among teenage girls was significantly reduced once the HPV vaccine became available.

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HPV vaccine can prevent most genital warts and most cases of cervical cancer. Protection from HPV vaccine is expected to be long-lasting. Credits: WebMD/Fearlessparent

The HPV vaccine helps to prevent types of cancer caused by the virus in males and females. It is quite useful while protecting individuals from common sexually transmitted infections linked to the human papillomavirus. If the virus is contracted, it can lead to half-dozen cancers, including cervical, penile, throat, anal, and vaginal cancers.

Despite the success of the vaccine, while preventing HPV infections and diseases, there is still from hesitancy for some people to get it. Physicians and oncologists are currently urging the use of the vaccine because they fear that if HPV vaccination is not increased, American young patients would have greater chances of developing deadly cancers when they grow up.

A gynecologic oncologist, Lois Ramondetta, has conducted several programs to raise awareness among health care providers in all fields about the importance of vaccinating teens to prevent future health complications.

“Pediatricians never see the cancers caused by HPV, so some of them don’t recognize the vaccine’s importance in preventing cancer. They don’t know how to talk about it with patients, or they wait too long. And their knowledge level is not where it should be,” said Ramondetta.

For Ramondetta, plans to encourage people to get the HPV are a job that involves physicians from all health domains and ordinary people should take part in the incentive as well. “If you are not recommending the vaccine, you are not doing your job. It’s the equivalent of having patients in their 50s and not recommending a colonoscopy – and then having them come back with cancer,” Ramondetta said.

Free HPV vaccine for Ontario’s gay and bisexual community

Ontario has already started a plan to expand free HPV vaccine to those who identify as gays, bisexuals or transgender people. People aged 26 or younger will be included in Ontario’s plan to prevent the spread of the human papillomavirus.

According to Health Minister Eric Hoskins, VPH is a very common virus that has caused almost 254 deaths and over 1,000 cases of cancer in Ontario every year. Hoskins added that men who have intercourse with men are highly exposed to contract HPV infection, a virus that can lead to penile and anal cancer.

Considering the alarming rates, Ontario will start offering the HPV vaccine in September. Eligible young gay and bisexual men could have access to the vaccine in local public health units.

Likewise, Ontario health authorities have announced plans to offer the HPV vaccine for boys and girls in Grade 7. Former studies have proved that the rates of HPV in young might decrease through the vaccine. The plan aims to protect teenagers of contracting the disease.

Source: Norwich Bulletin