Knowledge Bank
Cancer Vaccines
Cancers Caused by the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) and Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) are a Significant Public Health Problem
Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) and Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) account for many cancers globally (610,000 cases). Safe and effective vaccines now exist for these viruses. Since nearly all adults will become infected by HPV, boys and girls should be vaccinated, optimally at age 11. HBV vaccination is also critically important, particularly in endemic areas such as Asia.
HPV Facts:
- 75-80% lifetime risk of contracting HPV
- HPV infection causes 6 types of cancer: anal, cervical, penile, throat/tonsil, vaginal, vulvar
- 12,360 new cases of cervical cancer per year (virtually all are HPV-related) in the USA
- 14,410 new cases of oropharyngeal (throat/tonsil) cancer per year in the USA
- 7,210 new cases of anal cancer per year in the USA
- 1,820 new cases of penile cancer per year in the USA
- Worldwide, >600,000 new cancer cases are attributable to HPV and >250,000 women are dying from cervical cancer each year
- 85% of cases are diagnosed in low- and middle-income countries with virtually no advanced cancer care
- Two doses of the vaccine required
- 67 million doses of this cancer vaccine were administered in the USA as of April 2014, establishing its extreme safety and effectiveness