Rishabh Gaur - Oncology Department
According to “HPV Vaccination is Cancer Prevention for Childhood Cancer Survivors,” by Heather Brandt et. al, childhood cancer survivors are at a high risk of developing cancer associated with human papillomavirus (HPV) later in their lives. In the study, males survivors had a four-fold risk and females had a two-fold risk of developing HPV associated cancers. HPV vaccination and screening can prevent most HPV infections and cancers. However, childhood cancer survivors have a very low rate of HPV vaccination at only 24%, partially due to health care provider negligence. This puts them in danger of a future cancer recurrence.
HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection. Although most HPV infections are benign, they can cause cancer, including 90% of anal and cervical cancers. Childhood cancer survivors are particularly vulnerable to HPV because of their low vaccination rate combined with a weakened immune system as a result of aggressive cancer treatment. There is no cure for HPV, but vaccination, screening, and safe sex practices are the best ways to prevent an HPV infection. Screening includes regular HPV screens every five years or Pap tests every three years. HPV cancers are easily preventable through vaccination and screening, so it is especially important for healthcare professionals to recommend HPV vaccination for all children but especially childhood cancer survivors who are at higher risk.
References
Brandt, H. M., Kepka, D., Kirchhoff, A. C., Daniel, C. L., & Bhatt, N. S. (2021a). Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination is cancer prevention for childhood cancer survivors. Cancer, 128(2), 237–239. https://doi.org/10.1002/cncr.33920
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