Helping Parents Understand the HPV Vaccine

January is National Cervical Cancer Awareness month. It is a time when health professionals around the country raise awareness of issues related to cervical cancer and the importance of prevention and early detection. This can be a great time to discuss the HPV vaccine with your clients. Since the HPV vaccine is recommended for pre-teens and young women, talking to parents about the vaccine is especially important.

Parents may hear many different messages about the HPV vaccine, and they may have a lot of questions. They often turn to health professionals as trusted sources of information. You can help parents prevent cervical cancer in their daughters by providing them with clear, accurate messages about the HPV vaccine. Here are some things you might want to tell parents to help them understand why and how to get their daughters vaccinated.

What is HPV?

HPV stands for the Human Papillomavirus.

• HPV is very common and is spread when the skin around the penis, vagina, or anus touches during sexual contact.
• A person can have HPV and not know it.
• There are many different types of HPV. Some types can cause cervical cancer. Other types can cause genital warts.

Why is the HPV vaccine recommended for 9-12 year old girls if HPV is spread through sex?

The vaccine works best when it is given to someone who has never had sexual contact with anyone else. So it makes sense to give the vaccine to girls well before they become sexually active. It is safe to use in girls as young as nine years old, so the guidelines say girls should be vaccinated between the ages of 9-12

Should my teenage daughter be vaccinated against HPV?

Let parents know that it is still useful for older teens to be vaccinated as well. The vaccine was tested on women up to age 26 and is safe and recommended up to that age. But remember, the vaccine works best in women who have never been sexually active.

Doesn’t giving the HPV vaccine to young girls encourage them to have sex?

Reassure parents that having their daughters vaccinated for HPV does not encourage them to have sex.

• Instead, it gives them a good opportunity to start a conversation with their children about sexual health.
• We know that teens who talk to their parents about sex are more likely to delay sex and to use protection when they do have sex.
• Encourage parents to talk their kids about HPV and sexual health.

To learn more about how you can help parents talk to their kids about sex, visit www.talkwithyourkids.org.

I heard HPV usually goes away on its own. Why bother vaccinating?

Let your clients know that HPV is extremely common, and there are many different types of HPV. Most cases of HPV do go away without treatment.

However, some types of HPV don’t go away, and they can cause cervical cancer. The vaccination will help protect their daughter from the types of HPV most likely to cause cervical cancer.

What if I can’t pay for the HPV vaccine?

The series of 3 shots can cost around $360 total.

• The vaccine may be covered by some insurance companies.
• Or, there are programs that can help cover the cost. Vaccines for Children provides free or low cost vaccines, including the HPV vaccine, for eligible children under 18.
• Local and state health departments may also offer the vaccine.

Do girls who got the vaccine still need Pap tests?

Inform your clients that all women must have regular Pap tests, whether or not they had the vaccine.

The vaccine does not protect against all types of HPV that can cause cervical cancer.

• Women should start getting Pap tests when they turn 21 or after they have been sexually active for 3 years, even if they have been vaccinated.
• They should come back for Pap tests as often as their provider recommends.

What else can my daughter do to prevent HPV and cervical cancer?

Parents can also help their daughters prevent HPV and cervical cancer by talking to their kids about healthy behaviors. Parents can talk to their daughters about:

• Delaying sex. The best way to prevent HPV is to not have sex at all.
• Using condoms. If a female is sexually active, condoms can help lower the chances of getting HPV.
• Having few sexual partners. Females are less likely to get HPV if they have fewer partners.
• Getting regular exams. Pap tests can check for changes that could lead to cancer. This allows females to get treated early before cancer develops.

As a health professional, you play an essential role in the fight against cervical cancer. Giving parents clear messages about the HPV vaccine can greatly help prevent cervical cancer for future generations.

For easy-to-read, multilingual client education materials about HPV and cervical cancer, visit the CFHC online store or HealthEdworks.

HealthEdworks is a brand-new concept in accessing easy-to-read patient education materials. Watch for our new series on Cervical Cancer Prevention coming soon!