LEXINGTON, Ky. — According to the most recent report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Kentucky has the nation’s highest rate of cancers caused by the Human Papillomavirus.

What You Need To Know

  •  The Human Papillomavirus is a sexually transmitted infection that can cause several types of cancers.

  •  Between 2010-14, Kentucky had an average annual rate of 15.3 per 100,000 people that had a cancer associated with HPV, the highest rate in the U.S., according to the CDC.

  •  The HPV vaccine has been proven to be an effective way to prevent developing most HPV-related cancers.

  • It is recommended that children get the vaccine before risking exposure. People up to 45 years old can still benefit from receiving the vaccine if they haven't been exposed to the virus.

It starts as a sexually transmitted infection that can go undetected because of a lack of symptoms, however over time, it can cause several types of cancers, including cervical, anal, penile, and vaginal cancer.

There is a way to protect yourself and others. The HPV vaccine can prevent over 90% of cancers caused by the virus, according to the CDC.

Children as young as nine years old can get vaccinated, with many receiving it between the ages of 11 to 12. However, for people who did not get vaccinated within that window, the vaccine may still be beneficial. In 2018, the FDA approved the use of the vaccine for people up to 45 years old.

“The vaccine is really important to, you know, help protect you and also help protect the community in general,” said Erin Poteet, a director of the University of Kentucky’s Community Pharmacy Services.

HPV is the most common STI, with over 200 different types. It is recommended that people use protection when engaging in sexual activity and get regular HPV and pap tests to check for the infection or any abnormalities.

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