From heartbreak to self-doubt to body changes, growing up comes with its share of challenges. Try as you might, you can’t always shield your tween or teen daughter from them.
But a new study confirms one way to keep her safe — for years to come. Get her vaccinated against HPV, or human papillomavirus. This may slash her risk of developing cervical cancer by up to 88%.
HPV: A Common Threat
About eight in 10 people will eventually be exposed to HPV. It’s one of the most common sexually transmitted infections. Often, people don’t even know they have it.
That’s a problem. HPV infections can cause cancer in a woman’s cervix, vagina, vulva, anus and throat. In fact, more than nine out of 10 cases of cervical cancer are linked to HPV. The virus causes more than 21,000 cases of cancer in women each year.
Shots Provide Effective Protection
Healthcare providers already knew HPV vaccines were highly effective in fighting the virus and these cancers. The new study in the New England Journal of Medicine provides added evidence.
Scientists studied more than 1.6 million girls and women from as young as age 10 through their 31st birthdays. For every 100,000 women, 94 who weren’t vaccinated developed cervical cancer. The vaccine cut that number to 47.
Starting Young Has Benefits
Providers recommend two or three doses of the HPV vaccine for both girls and boys. Boys can develop anal, throat and penile cancers from HPV. Men and women can get the shots as late as age 26.
But the earlier, the better because younger immune systems make more virus-fighting antibodies from the vaccine. In the study, only four in 100,000 women who’d started vaccination before age 17 went on to develop cancer.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends girls and boys get the shots at age 11 or 12. Some parents worry this encourages sexual activity. Studies dispute this — but an open discussion with your child and the pediatrician can address your concerns
Find a Provider
Log on to crh.org/doc to search for a new provider. If you’re unsure who to choose, WellConnect specialists can help you find one that will be a good fit for you and your family. Call them from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., weekdays, at 812-376-5136.
CRH News
-
Guardian Response Trains with CRH on Patient Transport
Apr 26, 2024, 15:25 PM by DeClue, A.On April 29 and May 2, Columbus Regional Health and area first responders will be conducting a training session in partnership with military representatives. This is a planned, simulated emergency drill.Full story -
Final Two CRH Practices Move to NexusPark
Apr 18, 2024, 12:36 PM by DeClue, A.CRH at NexusPark officially opened in late January, and more than 15 provider practices and services have relocated to the space in the first quarter of 2024.Full story -
Wound Center Receives National Awards
Apr 3, 2024, 15:21 PM by DeClue, A.The Wound Center achieved outstanding clinical outcomes for twelve consecutive months, including a patient satisfaction rate higher than 92 percentFull story -
CRH conducting independent public health survey
Mar 26, 2024, 12:41 PM by DeClue, A.Columbus Regional Health is conducting a Health Status Survey by telephone and online from March through May.Full story -
Columbus Regional Health offers new online health portal for expectant parents
Mar 25, 2024, 14:21 PM by DeClue, A.With CRH’s new My Pregnancy Journey, patients can use their computers or mobile devices to review digital prenatal education from a trusted source and track important decisions and tasks that need to happen at specific pregnancy milestones.Full story -
Additional Medical Practices Move to NexusPark
Mar 25, 2024, 11:24 AM by DeClue, A.More practices and services relocate to NexusPark facility.Full story