Protect your future: prevent HPV cancers
July 03, 2025
Launch the media gallery 1 playerEach year, nearly 38,000 people get HPV-associated cancers in the United States. HPV stands for human papilloma virus and it causes cancer in men and women. The good news? A vaccine is available to prevent 90% of HPV-associated cancers!
Let’s look at the facts about HPV cancers and how to prevent them:
• HPV is very common: 8 of every 10 people will get infected by HPV at some point, often without knowing.
• Around 13 million people are infected with HPV every year in the U.S.
• For women, cervical cancer is the most common cancer caused by HPV. For men, it's usually throat cancer (head and neck).
• You can spread HPV without symptoms.
HPV vaccination is cancer prevention:
• The HPV vaccine is safe. It was approved in 2006 and over 125 million people have received the vaccine in the U.S.
• The HPV vaccine works. It has been proven to prevent 90% of the 6 different cancers caused by HPV.
• HPV vaccination provides strong and long-lasting protection by causing the body to produce antibodies that fight the virus upon exposure.
• The vaccine works best when given before being exposed to the virus.
Some people worry that the HPV vaccine could affect future fertility. That’s not true. It may even help protect fertility. The HPV vaccine helps prevent cervical cancer so that women can get pregnant and have healthy babies.
When should the HPV vaccine be given? The vaccine can be given as early as age 9, and it works best between ages 9 and 12.
• Kids who start the vaccine before age 15 only need 2 doses, spaced 6-12 months apart.
• If someone starts at age 15 or older, they should get 3 doses over 6 months.
• Adults up to age 26 are strongly encouraged to get vaccinated.
• Adults ages 27 to 45 should talk to their doctor to see if the vaccine is right for them.
The Vaccines for Children program at South Heartland helps eligible individuals afford recommended vaccines, including the HPV vaccination.
Do you have questions? We recommend talking to your health care provider or a public health nurse to learn more and get all of your questions answered.
If you are unsure about your vaccination needs, you can check with your health care provider or the health department for recommendations. You can also check for yourself on the Nebraska State Immunization Information System (NESIIS). This is a secure, statewide webbased system that tracks the immunizations given to people in Nebraska. The system maintains computerized immunization data for people of all ages in a confidential and secure manner.
You can access your immunization records on NESIIS by going to this webpage: www.dhhs.ne.gov/nesiis, where you will enter your First Name, your Last Name, your Birth Date and your Social Security Number. Once you are logged in on the secure site, you will be able to see a list of the vaccines you’ve received, when they were administered, and whether your vaccine series is complete. There are also prompts for vaccines that are recommended for you and when they are due.
HPV doesn’t wait, why should you? Talk to your health care provider or a public health nurse and protect your future today.
For more information about HPV, the HPV vaccination, or for help with the Nebraska State Immunization Information System (NESIIS), contact SHDHD at 402-462-6211 or visit our website: https://tinyurl.com/SHDHDvaccinate. South Heartland is partnering with the Nebraska Cancer Coalition (NC2) on the HPV awareness campaign “HPV doesn’t wait, why should you?” You can learn more about HPV and other cancers from the Nebraska Cancer Coalition at their website: www.necancer.org/HPV.
Michele Bever, PhD, MPH, is the executive director for South Heartland District Health Department, serving Adams, Clay, Nuckolls and Webster Counties in Nebraska. She may be reached at 402-462-6211.
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