How does the HPV vaccine help prevent cancer, before it starts?

The HPV vaccine is one of the strongest tools we have for cancer prevention. But confusion and misinformation can still make people hesitant to get the HPV vaccine. 

At the Masonic Cancer Center (MCC), University of Minnesota, our researchers have been studying the causes of cancer for decades. By understanding how different cancers develop, we can share the knowledge, tools, and resources that help people reduce their risk—sometimes even stopping cancer before it begins! The HPV vaccine is a powerful example of prevention in action.

Keep reading for the low-down on what you need to know about HPV, its connection to different types of cancer, and how vaccination is protecting communities in Minnesota and beyond.

What is HPV? 

HPV, or human papillomavirus, is a very common virus spread through skin-to-skin contact. Nearly everyone will get HPV at some point. While many infections clear on their own, some can lead to cancer, including cervical cancer and oropharyngeal cancers—cancer of the mouth, tongue, and throat.

The good news: The HPV vaccine is safe, effective, and designed to prevent those cancers.

“The vaccine trains your immune system to protect you if you’re exposed,” says Britt Erickson, MD, a gynecologic oncologist and a researcher at the Masonic Cancer Center. And, importantly, “The HPV vaccine does not contain a live virus, so the vaccine cannot give you HPV,” she adds. 

In Minnesota, between 2011 and 2016, more than 3,300 Minnesotans were diagnosed with an HPV-associated cancer—about 657 cases each year. While cervical cancer remains the most common HPV-related cancer in women, and oropharyngeal cancer (mouth and throat) is most common in men, the trends show important shifts: Cervical cancer rates are declining thanks to screening, but HPV-associated cancers overall are rising, driven by increases in oropharyngeal and anal cancers.

HPV and cancer

In Minnesota, the most common cancers caused by HPV are cervical cancer and oropharyngeal cancer. Other cancers caused by HPV include: vulvar, vaginal, anal and penile cancer. HPV can cause cancers in all genders.

The good news is that the HPV vaccine is our top tool for preventing cancers caused by HPV. The vaccine used in the U.S. protects people against most of the HPV viruses that can cause cancer. That means the HPV vaccine protects against nine different strains of the virus—potentially almost 70 percent of all HPV-related cancers! That includes the HPV strains responsible for causing most cervical, vaginal, vulvar, anal, penile, and head and neck cancers. 

Some of MCC’s researchers focus their prevention efforts on particular types of cancer that they have extensively studied. For example, Rebekah Pratt, PhD, an MCC researcher who leads our public engagement efforts via her role as associate co-director of community outreach and engagement, has focused her studies on the relationship between HPV and cervical cancer. 

Here’s what she has to say about it: “Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable cancers we know of,” says Dr. Pratt. “Vaccination and regular screening together are powerful tools for prevention.”

To make cervical cancer screening more accessible, Dr. Pratt is also working on HPV self-collection, a method that allows people to collect their own sample. This method is now becoming available in clinics—no pelvic exam needed! In the future, it may also be available to do at home.

“It’s a game changer for access,” Dr. Pratt says. “We’ve seen how it helps people feel more comfortable and in control of their health.”

Why early vaccination matters

Doctors recommend the HPV vaccine starting at ages 11–12, though it can be given as early as age 9. Vaccination is also recommended for anyone up to age 26 who hasn’t yet received it. Some adults up to age 45 may also benefit after talking with their doctor.

“You get the strongest protection when you’re vaccinated before exposure to HPV,” says April Wilhelm, MD, MPH, a family medicine physician and MCC researcher. “Vaccination before age 15 also maximizes the body’s immune response. It’s a simple, preventive step with long-term benefits.”

HPV-related cancers affect some communities more than others

Cancer touches every community in Minnesota, and some communities face higher risks, more barriers to screening, and worse outcomes than others. For example, American Indian and Asian women in Minnesota experience some of the highest rates of cervical cancer, including some of the highest death rates from it. 

One Minnesota community facing especially high rates of cervical cancer is Hmong Americans. Cervical cancer rates are four times higher in the Hmong American community than those of non-Hispanic white women and three times higher than other Asian women. To address this disparity, Dr. Wilhelm and colleagues, including Serena Xiong, PhD, developed hmonghpv.com, a culturally-tailored website designed to raise awareness about cervical cancer prevention and the importance of HPV vaccination for Hmong adolescents and their families.

Disparities like these underscore why prevention is so crucial. Expanding access to HPV vaccination and screening—alongside other prevention efforts—can help give everyone the chance to live a healthier, cancer-free life. That’s why our researchers at MCC are committed to advancing prevention efforts across many different types of cancer. From studying lifestyle and environmental risk factors to developing new tools for early detection, our goal is to stop cancer before it starts.

“We want every Minnesotan to have the chance to protect themselves,” says Dr. Wilhelm. “That starts with accurate information and access to care.”

Take action for your health!

• Talk with your doctor about the HPV vaccine for you or your child.
• Vaccinate early—ideally between ages 9 and 12.
• Stay up to date with cervical cancer screening if you are 21 or older. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides screening information and recommendations on its website. In Minnesota, for eligible women who meet age, insurance and income criteria, the Sage Screening Program offers free cervical cancer screening.
• Share these facts with family and friends.
• Check out MCC’s top cancer prevention and screening tips on our Community Resource Library. We have an infographic dedicated to cervical cancer screening, risk factors, and symptoms. 

The Masonic Cancer Center is proud to stand with 62 other National Cancer Institute (NCI) designated cancer centers, seven national organizations, and the University of Puerto Rico Comprehensive Cancer Center in affirming the importance of HPV vaccination to prevent cancer. View a copy of the joint statement we signed affirming the vaccine's safety and efficacy. 

Together, we can stop cancer before it starts!