Can Vaccines Help Prevent Cancer?

In addition to eating healthy and getting regular diagnostic imaging Las Vegas scans, vaccines also aide in preventing cancer. Research has found that the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine may be beneficial for both females and males. In addition to reducing the development of cervical cancer in women, the HPV vaccine can also prevent neck cancer in men.According to 2010 statistics, just under 12,000 women were diagnosed with cervical cancer in the US. Out of this amount, nearly 4,000 died. Since then, research has found that there is an estimated of 2,370 of new HPV-associated cancers.Even though the vaccine has great benefits, only 38 percent of girls between the ages of 13 and 17 have gotten the shot and about 14 percent of boys.Currently, approximately 79 million people in the US are infected with some strain of HPV. Every year, 14 million more infections pop up. Because the infection is so widespread, it come as no surprise that about 18,000 women and 8,000 men develop cervix, anus, penis and throat cancer. HPV is the most common sexually transmitted disease. Second to HIV, it’s the most fatal.It’s unfortunate to learn that millions of teens and young adults fail to get the vaccine which can easily prevent many types of cancers. Doctors recommend teenagers to have three vaccinations: HPV, Tdap and meningococcal. About 85 percent of boys and girls in the US have their Tdap and meningococcal vaccine, so why is it that so little get the HPV vaccine?Because of its benefits, the HPV vaccine is the most studied in the US. Studies have found that the most significant side effects from the vaccine are postinjection syncope (fainting).Perhaps, many parents don’t want their kids to get the vaccine because they aren’t sure how long it lasts. Well, the vaccine was first licensed eight years ago. Researchers have eight years to go off of, so far it still provides a strong immunity to those vaccinated. Because the HPV vaccine is so similar to the hepatitis B vaccine, researchers are confident that it will last at least 30 years, but many feel that the vaccine could provide a lifelong immunity.Some doctors think the reason that parents aren’t getting their kids fully vaccinated is due to the nature of the disease. HPV is transmitted sexually, and parents don’t want to be forced into the sex talk when getting their kids vaccinated.In addition to the “talk”, another reason that the vaccine isn’t given to as many kids is the cost. It is much more expensive than other vaccines and insurance companies don’t reimburse as much.There has been a lot of research with findings that prove it can prevent a handful of cancers, so wouldn’t it be worth the cost?Along with proper vaccines, it’s important to get all the proper diagnostic imaging Las Vegas offers to prevent cancer. Steinberg Diagnostic Medical Imaging have all the top of the line technology to provide advanced and detail images. To schedule an appointment with the radiologists Las Vegas trusts, contact 702.732.6000.