The Importance of Vaccination
My journey with throat cancer began with the human papillomavirus (HPV) as the cause. Before my diagnosis, I knew very little about HPV—aside from vague news about vaccines for girls, I was unfamiliar with the virus itself. Here’s what I’ve learned: HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection, composed of over 200 related viruses spread through sexual skin-to-skin contact. Most infections resolve on their own within two years and often present no symptoms. However, some high-risk strains can cause cancers such as cervical, head and neck, and others. In fact, most sexually active people likely have or have had HPV.
One of my key takeaways is the vital role of the HPV vaccine. This vaccine protects against the most common and dangerous types of the virus, reducing future health risks and cancer chances. Today, many young people of all genders receive the vaccine through school programs. For example, my son Dylan has completed two out of three recommended doses during law school, and my son Ryan is scheduled to receive all three. If you know anyone under 40, encourage them to get vaccinated.