VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center joins national effort urging HPV vaccination to prevent cancer

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center has joined dozens of other leading cancer research centers in urging the public to get the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination to prevent multiple cancer types, according to a release from the university.

The joint statement, also endorsed by VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center, along with 61 other National Cancer Institute (NCI)-Designated Cancer Centers, several leading national cancer health organizations and the University of Puerto Rico Comprehensive Cancer Center, is urging parents, caregivers and healthcare providers to choose the HPV vaccination to prevent six types of cancer.

This comes during Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month and the back-to-school season -- when most children ages 9 to 12 are being vaccinated against HPV.

According to the university, the HPV vaccination is safe and protects against six types of cancer: oropharyngeal, cervical, anal, vaginal, vulvar and penile.

“Consistent with our commitment to the concept of 'one team, one fight,’ Massey continues to align with other NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers to jointly endorse the importance of HPV vaccination,” said Kim Rhoads, associate director of community engagement at Massey and professor of surgery in the Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery. “Only a handful of cancers are truly preventable. Six of those preventable cancers are caused by HPV infection. Reducing HPV infection through vaccination will put our country on track to potentially eliminate these cancers.”

New research from the National Immunization Survey (NIS)-Teen data indicates a need to ensure children are protected against HPV-related cancers, as nearly 80 million Americans -- one out of every four people -- are infected with HPV.

More than 40,000 people will be diagnosed with HPV-related cancers this year, and hundreds of thousands more with HPV-caused pre-cancers, per the university. As a result, VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center is emphasizing the public health concern in the U.S. due to HPV-related cancers.

“Cervical cancer is almost entirely preventable,” said Jaclyn Wall, gynecologic oncologist at Massey. “Almost all cervical cancer is driven by HPV, and it can be prevented by the HPV vaccine. The HPV vaccine should be given to adolescents when they're around their early middle school years. Studies have been done that show the eradication of HPV-caused cervical cancers in patients who are adequately vaccinated.”

The dozens of cancer centers advocating for HPV vaccination are encouraging you to do the following:

• Health care systems’ staff and providers should immediately identify and contact parents and caregivers of age-eligible children who are due for HPV vaccination, and encourage them to complete vaccinations.
• Parents and caregivers should have their age-eligible children vaccinated as soon as possible. A list of recommended vaccines is available on the CDC website and the American Academy of Pediatrics website.
• Talk with family members and friends about HPV vaccination. Share the facts about HPV vaccination as cancer prevention.
• Learn more about HPV vaccination from the CDC, American Cancer Society (ACS), ACS National HPV Vaccination Roundtable and AAP.