January is cervical health and cervical cancer awareness month. Carla Boat and Judi Van Hulzen with Marion County Public Health say that HPV, or human papilloma virus, is the most common sexually transmitted infection, and it can cause cancer in both men and women, in a number of areas in the body. However, they say the HPV vaccine is very effective in prevention, and is recommended to be given at an early age between 11 and 12 years of age for both girls and boys.

The the vaccine is given in three doses, the first is recommended between 11 and 12 years of age; the second dose within 1 to 2 months later, but with a minimum of 4 weeks in between; and the third dose at least 12 weeks after the second dose.

Gardasil is one vaccine, indicated for males and females ages 9 to 26. Cervarix is the other, and is indicated for females only, ages 9 to 26. Studies show the vaccines prevent almost 100% of precancerous cervical changes.

VanHulzen and Boat say that while there are Pap screenings for women, there is currently no screening method for men, and the only time men find out they have cancer caused by HPV is after it has already manifested.

Vaccines can be obtained at your doctor’s office, or by contacting Marion County Public Health at 828-2238.