HPV vaccine approved for adults 27 to 45 years

DERRY TOWNSHIP, Pennsylvania – The FDA recently approved the use of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine for adults between 27 and 45 years old. When Gardasil first came out about 10 years ago, it was only approved for 9-26 year olds. Several studies have shown that it can help prevent several types of cancers.

HPV is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases. There are hundreds of strains; most do absolutely nothing. Many have heard of those who cause genital warts and cervical cancer.

"The vaccine prevents the virus only if someone is sexually naive," said Dr. David Goldenberg, professor and head of the otolaryngology department at Penn State Hershey Medical Center. "They had no sexual exposure, and that's why it was recommended to teens."

Two or three studies have been conducted. One of these studies, which followed 3,200 women aged 27 to 45 years, revealed that Gardasil was 88% effective in preventing precancerous vaginal and cervical lesions. This is why the FDA has increased age.

But Dr. Goldenberg said there is another type of cancer that he can prevent, which most people have never heard of.

"This disease is new," he said. "Ten years ago, there were not many head and neck cancers caused by HPV."

Oropharyngeal cancer occurs in the area between the back of the mouth and the throat.

"Any adult with a mass on the side of the neck, a lump, painless or not, should be seen immediately," Dr. Goldenberg said. "Often, there will be no other symptoms or signs."

He said the number of people who do not know is alarming.

"I met doctors, family doctors, and medical students, who knew that HPV was causing cervical cancer, but they did not know that there was an epidemic of cancer." Oropharynx caused by the same virus, "he said.

Dr. Goldenberg said it would be years before people know how effective the vaccine is. If you catch head and neck cancer caused by HPV, he says that it is very curable if it is detected early. He strongly recommends that you be vaccinated if you are eligible and have not already done so.