Crist: Consider HPV vaccine for girls and boys, 11 to 12

2:04 AM, Mar. 1, 2014  |  Comments
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Dear Gary: My wife and I have a 12-year-old son who, for the most part, is happy and healthy. Lately, after hearing the news, we are on different sides of the issue of having him vaccinated for HPV. My wife is against vaccinations for children unless absolutely necessary. She believes that most of them are unnecessary and that it is not wise to expose your children to possible side effects, etc. I don't know a lot about this virus, but if it will lessen the chances of our son getting cancer in the future, then why not?

I would appreciate your advice, so we can go forward one way or the other.

- Unsure Parents in Fort Collins

Dear Unsure Parents: Thank you for the question. You are among many parents who are torn over whether to vaccinate their child for HPV. HPV is short for Human papillomavirus, a common virus in both men and women. HPV can cause several kinds of cancer in men, including oropharyngeal cancer, also known as mouth or throat cancer. It is estimated that every year there are more than 9,000 men who have HPV-related cancers, and many of these could be prevented by having the vaccine.

On this issue, I would have to side with you, as I believe strongly that the benefits outweigh the risks. The Centers for Disease Control recommends that boys and girls be vaccinated at age 11 or 12.

Most people have heard that the vaccine protects girls against cervical cancer, but vaccinating boys can protect them from getting cancer, also. The HPV vaccine given to boys is called Gardasil. It also helps prevent genital warts and reduces the spread of HPV in girls. I am not aware of any serious side effects from taking this vaccine, but I'd recommended you consult with your doctor to get all the information.

To connect a personal story to this conversation, I was diagnosed with Stage 4 throat cancer in 2008. My doctors told me that my cancer was likely caused by HPV. I have never been a smoker, and my family does not have a history of this type of cancer.

I wish the HPV vaccine had been available when I was your son's age. It might have prevented me from having cancer. I know there are a number of people who will have feedback from the other side of this issue, and I will do my best to get their opinions published in a later column. At the end of the day, you are the parent, and it is your decision. That decision should be made by examining both sides of the issue. Good luck.
