Checking One Thing Off My Worry List: A Perspective on the HPV Vaccine

As a parent, we worry about everything.  From the food that our children eat, to their friends, to what they will do the moment they leave our sight.  It’s enough to cause an ulcer.

What I have learned in my years of being a parent is to control the things you can and try not to worry about those things you can’t (lest you are resolved to rocking in the fetal position all day every day).

For me, health is one of those things that falls into the bucket of ‘control the things you can’ (to some extent). We are fortunate enough to live in a time where real solutions are available to us: access to healthier food options, research on what works and what doesn’t, health advances such as vaccines, treatments for many sicknesses, and quick and easy access to loads of information on the Internet.

But even with all these advances, our families and our children still face many health issues. So if you could cross at least one of these off your list of things to worry about, you’d do it, right?

HPV cancer vaccine flyer – 8-1/2 x 11

Did you know that about 14 million people will be infected with Human Papillomavirus (HPV) this year? And while some of those infected with HPV will be fine, others will develop cancer as a result of being infected. But there is an easy 3-step vaccine that can be given to both boys and girls between the ages of 11 and 12 – and it can prevent cervical cancer.

So why wouldn’t you want to vaccinate against this preventable cancer if you could? I know I want to.

But don’t take my word for it – read about this important health issue and the vaccine to prevent it at CDC’s website here.

And remember, always talk with your doctor about anything health-related before making any decisions.

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