Healthy Kids     Health Guide    

St. Jude creates new HPV cancer prevention awareness campaign



The benefits of adolescents receiving the vaccine to prevent cancer

New HVP vaccine campaign

The St. Jude Children's Research Hospital HPV Cancer Prevention Program today launched a public awareness campaign to bring more attention to the need for and benefits of adolescents ages 9-12 receiving on-time human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination to prevent cancer. The campaign will also elevate awareness of the dangers of HPV pre-cancers and cancers.
 
The "Path to a Bright Future" campaign was unveiled during the final segment of a weeklong seminar series featuring medical and public health experts, along with HPV-cancer survivors and parents, discussing challenges around HPV vaccination and possible solutions. Path to a Bright Future, which will include fact sheets, infographics, posters, and social assets available to partners nationwide, will kickoff in the southeastern United States where HPV vaccination coverage remains well below national averages

"St. Jude has been actively engaged over the past several years in raising awareness about HPV. With this latest campaign, we are working to increase vaccinations and ultimately reduce the rate of HPV infections. By educating the public on the dangers of HPV and associated cancers, focusing on both the community and clinical settings, and supporting relevant policies that encourage vaccination, these efforts will help prevent future cancers," said James R. Downing, M.D., St. Jude president and CEO. "In honor of International HPV Awareness Day, join us to help create a future free of HPV."

HPV can cause six dangerous types of cancer (including oral, cervical, vaginal, anal and penile cancers) in both women and men and results in more than 36,000 cases of cancer each year. HPV vaccination, which is effective at preventing more than 90 percent of these types of cancers, is available and recommended for every person between the ages of 9 and 26. The ideal age is 9 – 12 years old.


Despite widespread availability and the effectiveness, HPV vaccination coverage in the United States has been slow and remains lower than the national Healthy People 2030 goal of 80%. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 80 million Americans – one out of every four people – are infected with the virus.

"Together, with our campaign partners, we hope to increase awareness of the benefits of on-time HPV vaccination for cancer prevention and provide tangible resources to help peers working in community and health care settings to better meet people where they are," said Heather Brandt, Ph.D., St. Jude HPV Cancer Prevention Program director. "We're committed to raising awareness of policies that support HPV vaccination efforts broadly." 

Learn more about Path to a Bright Future or sign up to be a campaign partner here. Additional information about the St. Jude HPV Cancer Prevention Program is available here.
The St. Jude HPV Cancer Prevention Program launched in March 2021 with a $12 million investment to focus on the prevention of HPV-related cancers around the world. For more information, please visit StJude.org/HPV or email PreventHPV@stjude.org.

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is leading the way the world understands, treats and cures childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. It is the only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center devoted solely to children. Treatments developed at St. Jude have helped push the overall childhood cancer survival rate from 20% to 80% since the hospital opened more than 60 years ago. St. Jude freely shares the breakthroughs it makes, and every child saved at St. Jude means doctors and scientists worldwide can use that knowledge to save thousands more children. To learn more, visit StJude.org or follow St. Jude on social media at @StJudeResearch.




Other articles by HVP News Reporters


  • Understanding 'Warning Strokes'

    What to expect if you experience stroke symptoms, even if they disappear

    Diagnosing a transient ischemic attack (TIA), sometimes called a “warning stroke,” can be challenging because symptoms often disappear within an hour. However, it’s important to seek emergency assessment to help prevent a full-blown stroke. read more »
  • Managing your family's year-round health

    Protect everyone from infectious diseases

    According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), vaccines help create protective antibodies that fight off infections. read more »
  • What to know about Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

    treatment can help control symptoms and improve quality of life

    Each year, an estimated 500-1,000 people nationwide are diagnosed with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). While there’s currently no cure, treatment can help control symptoms and improve quality of life. read more »
  • Bring back family bonding this fall

    3 ways to free up busy schedules to spend time with loved ones

    Busy fall schedules often leave little time for the things that matter most – sharing special moments with those you love. This year, as time seems to speed up during another school year, making family bonding a priority in your household can start with a few simple tricks. read more »
  • Top tips for a more organized kitchen

    Save time and money

    Better organization in the kitchen means spending less time searching for the right ingredient or tool so you can have more time for savoring meals with family and friends, and more time for personal pursuits. read more »
  • 6 small, kind gestures to make a big impact each day

    Performing acts of kindness improves individual well-being

    Everywhere you look, you can see moments of kindness. From a friend sending a thoughtful text message to a stranger holding the bus for someone running late or a person paying for someone else’s coffee, acts of kindness happen every day. read more »
  • Keeping babies safe

    Tips to help prevent some of the biggest dangers

    Tips to help prevent some of the biggest dangers for babies include safe sleeping habits, product recalls, baby proofing & car safety read more »
  • Tips to get tour student prepped for college entrance exams

    Help get your teen ready

    Is the SAT or ACT on the horizon for your high schooler? A lot of emphasis is placed on college entrance exams, and your child may be anxious about their scores. read more »
  • More than two-thirds of Americans plan to get a flu shot this season

    CVS Pharmacy® and MinuteClinic® encourage consumers to get an annual flu shot and stay up to date on routine vaccinations

    CVS Health® (NYSE: CVS) is prepared to meet patients' vaccination and other preventive health care needs as flu season approaches. CVS Pharmacy® and MinuteClinic® are offering the annual flu vaccine at locations nationwide. CVS Pharmacy is also offering the new respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine, which has been approved for adults ages 60 and up. read more »
  • 10 phrases to say to children every day

    Instill valuable life skills and boost their self-esteem

    As parents, you play a pivotal role in shaping your child’s character, confidence, and overall development. Every interaction is an opportunity to instill valuable life skills and boost their self-esteem. read more »