Holding Out for a Hero

I admit it — some days, between the headlines and the chaos of everyday life, I’m holding out for a hero.

Every generation has had one — from Superman and James Bond to Harry Potter and Miles Morales. Heroes remind us that hope is never lost and that even impossible odds can be overcome.

But one of today’s greatest heroes isn’t fictional. It’s the result of decades of scientific discovery.

The Hidden Threat
Cancer remains one of our greatest fears — and for good reason. More than two million Americans are expected to receive a cancer diagnosis this year. Whether it’s breast cancer, prostate cancer, lung cancer, or another form of the disease, hearing the words “You have cancer” changes lives in an instant.

Yet one group of cancers often flies under the radar: those caused by the human papillomavirus, better known as HPV. HPV isn’t a single virus – it’s a family of more than 200 related viruses. Some strains cause harmless skin warts, while others can quietly increase the risk of cancer years — even decades — after infection.

Each year, more than 39,000 Americans are diagnosed with HPV-related cancers. While many people associate HPV primarily with cervical cancer, the virus is also linked to cancers of the throat, anus, penis, vulva, and vagina.

Fortunately, we already have a superhero.

It’s called Gardasil 9, the HPV vaccine.

A Hero Before the Battle
Most superheroes arrive after danger appears. The HPV vaccine is different. It works before the danger ever begins.

Gardasil 9 protects against the HPV types responsible for the vast majority of HPV-related cancers. It does not treat an existing HPV infection or cure cancer. Instead, it helps prevent infection before exposure, dramatically reducing the risk of developing several cancers later in life.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends routine HPV vaccination for boys and girls beginning at ages 9 to 12. Catch-up vaccination is recommended through age 26 for those who were not vaccinated earlier. Some adults ages 27 through 45 may also benefit after discussing their individual circumstances with their healthcare provider.

The Villain in the Story
Unfortunately, every superhero has a villain. For the HPV vaccine, that villain is misinformation.

Despite decades of research showing the HPV vaccine is safe and effective, myths and misunderstandings continue to keep some people from getting protected.

Many people think of HPV primarily as a cervical cancer concern. In reality, the virus has a much broader impact. HPV-related head and neck cancers — which occur most often in men — have now surpassed cervical cancer as the most common HPV-associated cancers in the United States. According to recent reports, HPV now causes about 16,000 head and neck cancers each year — more than the approximately 11,100 cervical cancers it causes annually.

Unlike cervical cancer, there is no routine screening test for HPV-related head and neck cancers. That means they’re often not discovered until the disease has reached a more advanced stage. That’s one reason prevention is so important — and why the HPV vaccine plays such a powerful role.

Another persistent myth is that HPV vaccination encourages early sexual activity. Research does not support that claim. The reason health experts recommend vaccination at younger ages is simple: vaccines work best before exposure to a virus.

Misinformation can be a powerful opponent. But facts — and the protection they provide — are even more powerful.

Be the Hero
So, if you’re still holding out for a hero, here’s some good news.

Turn around.

One is already here.

The HPV vaccine can’t leap tall buildings or stop speeding trains. But it can help prevent cancers that affect tens of thousands of Americans every year.

No cape required.

Just a conversation. A vaccination. And a decision to protect the next generation.

Sometimes the greatest heroes don’t rescue us after danger appears.
They prevent the danger from happening in the first place.

Now that’s a hero worth celebrating.

Happy reading,
Suzanne Daniels, Ph.D.