Yale Cancer Center joins the Association of American Cancer Institutes (AACI) and its partner organizations to endorse a Call to Action for our nation to work together toward the elimination of human papillomavirus (HPV)-related cancers. The Call to Action includes a briefing for lawmakers on Capitol Hill today to highlight the global impact of HPV-related cancers, the need for HPV vaccination, and evidence-based cancer screening.
“It is truly remarkable that cervical cancer elimination is possible within our lifetimes, but we need to do better with HPV vaccination in the U.S.,” said Linda Niccolai, Ph.D., a leading expert on HPV vaccination and a member of the Cancer Prevention and Control Program at Yale Cancer Center. “Pediatricians and parents need to do more to ensure that all boys and girls receive the HPV vaccine at ages 11 or 12 years, as recommended, to realize the full prevention potential of HPV vaccines and reduce future cancers.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the U.S. and can cause many types of cervical and head and neck cancers. The HPV vaccine was developed to prevent cervical and other cancers of the reproductive system.
The Call to Action goals include:
- Complete vaccination of more than 80 percent of males and females between the ages 13-15 by 2020.
- Screen 93 percent of age-eligible females for cervical cancer by 2020.
- Provide prompt follow-up and proper treatment of females who screen positive for high grade cervical pre-cancerous lesions.
The AACI adds these goals are recommended as priority health measures in all countries.