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Niagara County Department of Health, American Cancer Society work toward eliminating HPV cancers in New York

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Fri, Jul 20th 2018 04:35 pm
By the Niagara County Department of Health
Half of New York adolescents are at risk for the development of human papillomavirus (HPV) associated cancers later in life. Niagara County Department of Health is collaborating with the American Cancer Society to eliminate HPV cancers in the state.
"Children who receive the two-shot HPV vaccine series at age 11 or 12 are protected from an estimated 90 percent of HPV cancers," Public Health Director Daniel J. Stapleton said. "Our nursing division is working to empower parents with accurate information regarding HPV so they can protect their children with timely and complete immunizations."
Stacy Knott, public health educator from the Niagara County Department of Health, has joined 15 other organizations on the New York State HPV Coalition, which is led by the American Cancer Society and the Academic Pediatric Association. The coalition is tasked with eliminating vaccine-preventable HPV cancers across New York. Knott will join experts from local health care providers, government, and other public and private entities to design and implement strategies to increase the availability and utilization of HPV vaccination statewide.
Knott is also the lead for the Niagara County Coalition for HPV Vaccination, which seeks to increase awareness of the benefits and increase uptake of HPV vaccination.
About 14 million people, including teens, become infected with the HPV each year. An estimated 80 percent of people will get HPV during their lives. While most HPV infections go away on their own without lasting health problems, there is no way to know if an infection will lead to cancer. HPV infection is known to cause six different types of cancer: cervical, vaginal, vulvar, anal, penile and throat. There is no treatment for HPV infection, but vaccination and screening can prevent most HPV-related cancers.
With back to school physicals coming up, it is recommended the two-shot HPV vaccine series be given to boys and girls ages 11 or 12. HPV vaccination prevents an estimated 90 percent of HPV cancers when given at the recommended age, but cancer protection decreases as age at vaccination increases. Additional information about HPV-related cancers can be found at https://www.facebook.com/niagara.county.hpv.coalition/; or to learn about the NYS HPV Coalition and other resources, go to www.nyshpv.org.

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