Download Presentation - Illinois Women Against Cervical Cancer

Preventing
HPV-Related Cancers
Today’s Agenda
• What
is HPV?
• What are HPV-related cancers?
• How can they be prevented?
What is HPV?


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The human papillomavirus (HPV) is a
common virus transmitted by human, skin-toskin contact
HPV is usually harmless, but certain types of
high-risk HPVs can increase the risk of
cancer
Most people who have HPV will NOT develop
cancer
 Still,
taking steps to prevent the
possibility of HPV-related cancer
makes sense
HPV-Related Cancers
Cervical cancer
 Head & neck cancer
 Skin cancer
 Several other kinds of cancer
 HPV is associated with about 5 percent
of all cancers worldwide, according to
the National Cancer Institute.

Both Males and Females
Are At Risk
Cervical cancer is the most common HPVrelated cancer and afflicts only females
 However, males can be afflicted by other
types of HPV-related cancer

The Good News!

HPV-related cancers can be prevented!
 HPV vaccine for children 9 and older,
teens, and young adults up to age 26
 For adult women, a Pap test to detect
cervical cancer at an early stage
HPV Vaccine
A series of three injections over six
months
 Prevents HPV-related cancers from
occurring by halting the infection
 Not recommended for pregnant
women

HPV Vaccine

The vaccine is safe
 The
vaccine was tested on thousands of
patients before receiving FDA approval.
Millions of Americans have received the
vaccine, and it has been approved in more
than 70 countries worldwide.
 In some cases, minor side effects
 Vaccine is not a live virus
Pap Tests

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Pap tests have saved countless lives since
introduction in 1950s
Detects cell changes at early, treatable
stage when patient survival rate is very high
– more than 90 percent
Not the same as a pelvic exam!
All women should receive regular Pap
tests, even if they receive HPV
vaccine
Where to Go
and How to Pay


Where
 Doctors office or public health clinic,
including family planning clinics and
federally qualified health centers
How to pay
 Private insurance plans
 May have co-pay or deductible
 Medicaid
Most Important Messages
SUMMARY
HPV-related cancer can cause death and disability
 The HPV vaccine can prevent HPV-related cancer.
Males and females should get it as soon as possible
after they turn age 9 -- the vaccine works best this
way.
 The Pap test can detect precancerous cells or cancer
at an early, treatable stage. Women should receive
regular Pap test throughout life, even if they get the
vaccine
 Make an appointment today; insurance or Medicaid
often covers the costs
Q&A
Thank You!
Illinois Women Against Cervical
Cancer
Illinois Women Against Cervical Cancer is a
group of concerned individuals and organizations
including the Illinois Department of Public Health Center
for Minority Health Services, the Illinois Public Health
Association, ACCESS Community Health Network and
the Springfield Urban League. Our goal is to eliminate
cervical cancer by educating women about the
prevention and detection of cervical cancer and HPV.