If you could prevent your child from getting cancer, what would you do?

If you could prevent your child from getting cancer, what would you do?

You have the power to prevent cancer your child could get later in life

The dog days of summer are upon us and my family of six has spent countless days at the pool, baseball games and summer camps. Now a new school year is starting, and it’s a good time to make sure our children are up to date on their check-ups with the doctor, dentist and optometrist. As a parent of kids ranging in ages from eight to 13, this year also included discussions about the importance of getting the HPV vaccine for cancer prevention.

What is HPV, and how does it lead to cancer?

HPV stands for the human papillomavirus. It includes a group of more than 150 related viruses. Some types of HPV can cause warts or papillomas, which are non-cancerous. Most of the time our body’s natural immune systems can fight off the infections the virus can cause. But, some types of HPV cause cancer in both men and women. According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), HPV causes most cases of cervical cancer, and nearly all cases of pre-cervical cancers. It also causes many vaginal, vulvar, anal, penile, throat and tongue cancers.

As I began to learn more about HPV, I found myself wondering how common is the virus. What I found was astounding:

  • Each year in the United States 31,500 people are diagnosed with a cancer related to an HPV infection.
  • The virus spreads through skin-to-skin contact. Any man or woman who has ever had sex, including vaginal, anal or oral, can get the virus.
  • Four out of five people will have HPV at some point in their lives, according to the latest estimates. The virus is so common that the best way to prevent an HPV infection is to get vaccinated.

Is the HPV vaccine safe?

This is the first thing I wanted to know after hearing about this cancer prevention vaccine! I felt comforted knowing that more than 270 million doses have been given around the world since 2006, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). As a registered nurse, I understand any vaccination has potential side effects. Yet many people who get the HPV vaccine report no side effects. Potential side effects of the HPV vaccine have been mild like other vaccines. The HPV vaccine is approved by the CDC, and like all vaccines, receives ongoing monitoring.

So how can I prevent cancers that my kids could get later in life?

As a cancer nurse navigator and a mom of four children, I was very interested in the current recommendations to prevent HPV related cancers. I started by having a conversation with our family doctor. I learned my kids could receive the two series vaccination (six-12 months apart), as early as age nine or ten. The CDC highly recommends kids be vaccinated at ages 11 or 12, as that is when the vaccine has been shown to be the most effective. If a child starts the vaccination series between the ages of 15-26, a third vaccination is recommended.

The HPV vaccine prevents infections from nine HPV types that cause HPV cancers. According to the American Cancer Society, receiving the vaccine before being exposed to the virus can prevent up to 90% of HPV cancers!

As I was making doctor’s appointments for my kids, my almost 11-year-old son openly shared his disgust in having yet another “shot” scheduled with his upcoming appointment. This brought up a great moment to have a conversation about the purpose of this vaccine in preventing certain cancers later in life. He has heard many of my stories over the years of people struggling with cancer. He asked several great questions about the vaccine, and I didn’t hear him complain again.

A week later his sister was giving him a hard time that he was the ONLY kid who needed a shot this year. He promptly responded, “I’d rather have a two-second sting than a cancer that I didn’t need to have!” Proud mom moment!

I have had the personal experience of caring for patients with HPV related cancers. With this new cancer prevention vaccine, I feel so lucky to live during a time where these types of cancers could be greatly reduced or even eliminated in my kids’ generation!

My suggestion for parents is to talk with your child’s doctor about the HPV vaccine, and to your children about why “another shot” is so important. For more information, check out the links below.

www.cancer.org/hpv

www.cdc.gov/hpv

*Information for this blog provided by American Cancer Society.

Carmen Orr

Carmen Orr

RN, Cancer Nurse Navigator

Carmen Orr is a Bryan Medical Center oncology nurse navigator, which is a  specially trained nurses who are here to help you and your family through each step of your cancer journey.

How Important is the HPV Vaccine?

Listen to our podcast with Dr. Philip Boucher, a pediatrician with Lincoln Pediatric Group, to learn more about the importance of the HPV vaccine, research done on its effectiveness and tips on talking to your child about why they are getting the vaccine.

You may also like

Is Your Child’s Backpack a Health Risk?

Is Your Child’s Backpack a Health Risk?

Did you know that 55 percent of students are wearing backpacks that are too heavy for their body? Take the load off your kids and make sure they are wearing the right backpack properly. Improper backpack use has led to more reports of back pain in children. It is important to teach our children to pack it light and wear it tight. Read More

You may also like

What I’m Not Looking Forward to This Summer

What I’m Not Looking Forward to This Summer

For as long as I can remember, I always look forward to summer. Summers were (and still are) filled with softball games, fireworks, grilling and going on adventures. Read More

You may also like

Concussions 101: Know the Signs & Symptoms and How to Care for Your Child

Concussions 101: Know the Signs & Symptoms and How to Care for Your Child

What Is a Concussion?

A concussion is a brain injury caused by harm to the head or whiplash causing violent movement of the brain within the skull. Read More

You may also like

Is My Child Summer-Ready?

Is My Child Summer-Ready?

As a doctor, my goal is to keep children happy and healthy all year long. It is a great privilege to partner with parents to provide for the physical and emotional well-being of children through every stage of development. Read More

You may also like

Could the Prescription Drugs in Your Cabinet Put You or Others at Risk?

Could the Prescription Drugs in Your Cabinet Put You or Others at Risk?

Prescription drug abuse is at an all-time high in the U.S. More than 1,600 teens begin abusing prescription drugs each day. Young adults (ages 18-25) are the largest abusers of prescription drugs, mainly using Opioid pain relievers, ADHD stimulants and anti-anxiety drugs. Read More

You may also like

Concussion Conscious Parenting

Concussion Conscious Parenting

As a parent, you go to extreme lengths to ensure the safety of your children. In today’s sports, there has become a fine line between encouraging a sports dream and risking long term health. Read More

You may also like

Spring Safety: 18 Precautions to Keep Kids Safe

Spring Safety: 18 Precautions to Keep Kids Safe

Spring is a wonderful time of year. After being indoors for the winter, we can take our children outside and enjoy the fresh air while doing activities they enjoy. Read More

You may also like

Bedside Sleeper vs. the Crib

Bedside Sleeper vs. the Crib

Every parent has heard the stories of losing sleep and becoming a zombie for the first year of a child’s life. Well, my first year with Cohen was no different with endless, sleepless nights! Read More

You may also like

Heart Alert: The First Snowfall

Heart Alert: The First Snowfall

Heart Alert: What you need to know about that first snowfall. Read More

You may also like

Injury Prevention for Kids

Injury Prevention for Kids

Fall is here, and it seems like just yesterday our kids were finishing their last day of school and summer was upon us. Read More

You may also like

Cool Ways to Beat the Heat

Cool Ways to Beat the Heat

With temperatures rising into the 100s, it’s important to take precautions so your children avoid heat exhaustion or heat stroke. Read More

You may also like

Pin It on Pinterest