Little Red Door Cancer Agency is bringing attention to Cervical Health Awareness Month this January by promoting its new HPV vaccination program.
According to the National Cancer Institute, persistent HPV infections are now recognized as the cause of essentially all cervical cancers. HPV is also linked to some cancers of the anus, vulva, vagina, penis and oropharynx (the middle part of the throat) as well as genital warts.
HPV vaccination is a series of three shots given over a six month period to prevent infection by the most common types of HPV. The vaccine has been approved for use in males and females.
“With the availability of a vaccine that can actually prevent several types of cancers, we feel it is our duty to ensure that medically underserved individuals have access to this life-saving vaccine,” said Fred Duncan, executive director of the Little Red Door Cancer Agency.
Men and women ages 19-26 should call Little Red Door at (317) 925-5595 to see if they qualify for free HPV vaccinations. Little Red Door currently has HPV vaccination sites in both Marion and Shelby counties. Individuals 18 and under should contact their local county Health Department to find out about the HPV vaccination through the Vaccines for Children Program.
