HPV Vaccination Paper

Human papillomavirus, more commonly known as HPV, is, out of all sexually transmitted infections, the most frequently spread (“Human). Consequently, in the United States, over 20 million citizens are infected with HPV at any point in time. Even more concerning, HPV typically does not show symptoms; however, occasionally an infected individual will develop genital warts (“HPV). There is no official method of testing to figure out if a person is infected with HPV, and as a result, the probability of the infection developing into cancer undetected is a real threat. Thus, vaccination is pivotal in reducing the risk of HPV-caused cancers. Currently, there are only two FDA certified HPV vaccines, Gardasil and Cervarix. The vaccinations are recommended for both boys and girls 11-26 years of age in a series of three shots over a period of six months (“Human). Vaccinations have always been the subject of controversy and myths, and the HPV vaccine is one of the most frequently challenged ones. Moreover, the vaccine has been subjected to years of …show more content…
This year, nearly 8,000 people have been diagnosed with anal cancer, and nearly 1,000 people have died in 2014 due to anal cancer complications (“Anal). The CDC estimates that 95% of all anal cancer cases are directly caused by an HPV infection. The rates of anal cancer have only surged in the past four decades, so the need for the vaccine is evident (“Human). Girls are not the only ones that should be vaccinated to prevent anal cancer; in Kalson’s article, "Pediatricians Recommend HPV Vaccine for Boys, Too," Dr. Brady comments, “boys who grow up to be men who have sex with men are at particular risk for HPV infection." That is to say, gay and bisexual men are especially susceptible to develop HPV-related cancers, particularly anal cancer. Ultimately, mandatory HPV vaccines could prevent a large sum of people from going through the grief of anal cancer