A shot to prevent cancer
The planning committee for the HPV Vaccination Roundtable of the Southeast gathered at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Members include representatives of St. Jude, Emory University Rollins School of Public Health, the American Cancer Society. (Courtesy St. Jude Children's Research Hospital)
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is world renowned for fighting childhood cancers, but the hospital is also working to vaccinate children against a virus capable of causing a host of cancers in adulthood.
Human papillomavirus, or HPV, is the most common sexually transmitted infection, does not require an exchange of body fluids and can be spread through skin-to-skin contact.
About 80 million Americans are infected, and about 85% of people will get an HPV infection in their lifetime. But since the majority of HPV infections are asymptomatic, most people are unaware they’re infected.
Most HPV infections resolve spontaneously, but persistent infections can develop into cancers in both men and women.
The virus is linked to six types of cancers: cervical, vaginal, vulvar, anal, penile and oropharyngeal.
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St. Jude HPV Cancer Prevention Program Heather Brandt Dr. Jason Yaun Dr. Michelle Taylor vaccine Subscriber OnlyThank you for supporting local journalism.
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Aisling Mäki
Aisling Mäki has been writing about Memphis since she moved to the city more than 20 years ago. She’s worked for print, digital and broadcast news outlets, including Memphis Daily News and Action News 5 (WMC), as well as public relations agencies. Her work has earned awards from The Associated Press, Tennessee Press Association, Society of Professional Journalists and Public Relations Society of America.
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