Reducing the Burden of HPV-associated Cancer and Disease through Vaccination in the US

This session of Grand Rounds explored the burden of human papillomavirus (HPV) -associated cancer and disease in the United States and prevention through HPV vaccination.

HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States. There are more than 40 HPV types, some of which cause cancers and others which cause genital warts. Each year, there are an estimated 26,000 HPV-attributable cancers in the United States. About 17,000 occur in women, most of which are cervical cancers, and about 9,000 occur in men, most of which are oropharyngeal cancers. CDC estimates that $8 billion are spent each year on direct medical costs for preventing and treating HPV-associated disease. Currently available HPV vaccines prevent infection from the HPV types that cause about 70% of cervical cancers and the majority of other HPV-attributable cancers. HPV vaccine has been recommended for routine vaccination of 11-12 year-old girls since 2006 and for 11-12 year-old boys since 2011.

This session also provided more insight about the HPV vaccination program and how CDC, state and local health departments, and health care providers are working together to achieve high vaccination levels and reduce the substantial burden of HPV-associated disease.