Did you know the quadrivalent vaccine, or Guardasil, has been licensed for boys for the past two years? But only in the past few months has it been recommended by the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.
We generally think of this vaccine in terms of preventing female cancers, such as cervical, vaginal, and vulvar. Interestingly, the vaccine also benefits both sexes by preventing genital warts, as well as several head and neck cancers. Studies show a recent rise in the incidents of head and neck cancers in nonsmokers that are HPV related. That’s scary! With the vaccine, both men and women are also protected against anal cancers, in addition to protecting men from penile cancers.
The vaccine is recommended for boys aged 11 to 12 years, just as it is recommended for girls. The sad fact is that approximately 49 % of teen girls receive the first dose, and only a third have received all three recommended doses. Giving the vaccine to boys will also help prevent them from spreading the virus to girls.
The fact is that HPV is not just transmitted during sexual intercourse, but from skin to skin contact. Many teens know that condoms are effective for preventing infections and pregnancy, but they can’t protect against all HPV transmission because the condom doesn’t cover ALL the surfaces in the genital area that can carry and transmit the virus. That means condoms can’t prevent all HPV related cancers (but they definitely are important!). Any skin to skin contact that involves the mouth or genital areas can transmit HPV. There are a lot of teens that aren’t having intercourse, but that ARE having oral sex or genital contact without intercourse (we call that outercourse).
Teens are not great planners when it comes to having sex or “fooling around”. They don't come to you when they turn 16 or 17 and say, “Hey Mom, I think I’ll start having sex before the year is out.” Most first sexual encounters are spontaneous. As parents, you have to stay ahead of the curve. One of the best ways is early prevention, by making sure your son or daughter is vaccinated against HPV, the complete series, by the recommended age or before they begin experimenting with different sorts of sexual behaviors. But the catch is, do you really know when this may happen. Making sure they have it early will ensure that the vaccine protection is on board in plenty of time.
