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Cancer Centers Take Aim At Low HPV Vaccination Rates In Mountain West

2016 Adolescent Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccination Coverage Report
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
2016 Adolescent Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccination Coverage Report

Cancer centers are working to increase HPV vaccinations across the nation, but particularly in Mountain West states, where vaccination rates are low.

HPV, or human papillomavirus, is the most common sexually transmitted infection. It affects men and women, and it can lead to six types of cancer, including cervical cancer. The HPV vaccine prevents cancers caused by the virus.    

Deana Kepka is with the Salt Lake City-based Huntsman Cancer Institute. She said there’s a reason for these low vaccination rates.

“You’re talking STIs [sexually transmitted infections] and you're talking 11- and 12-year-olds — and people just want to shy away,” Kepka said of reluctance among parents to broach the subject. 

The Huntsman Institute just announced it’s one of 70 cancer centers around the country working on an education campaign to reduce HPV related cancers.

“Vaccination will prevent those 31,000 cancers each year in the U.S. Kids are vaccinated at 11 and 12. People get these cancers at 40, 50, age 60,” she said.

With more vaccinations and increased pre-cancer screenings, the effort could help achieve the Huntsman Institute's even bigger goal of eliminating cervical cancer in the U.S., Kepka said.

Copyright 2020 KUER 90.1. To see more, visit .

Erik Neumann is a radio producer and writer. A native of the Pacific Northwest, his work has appeared on public radio stations and in magazines along the West Coast. He received his Bachelor's Degree in geography from the University of Washington and a Master's in Journalism from UC Berkeley. Besides working at KUER, he enjoys being outside in just about every way possible.
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