The Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is one of the world's most common sexually transmitted infections and is transmitted by skin-to-skin (including sexual) contact. HPV has been found to cause cervical cancer, some other rare cancers and genital warts. According to the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care "About 75 per cent of adults will have at least one HPV infection in their lifetime. There are 500 women diagnosed with cervical cancer and 140 deaths each year in Ontario."

Protecting Against HPV Through Immunization
A vaccine, called Gardasil(TM), which prevents certain types of HPV has been approved for use in Canada. The vaccine protects against infection with two high risk types of HPV (16 and 18) and two low risk types (6 and 11). HPV types 16 and 18 cause approximately 70% of cervical cancers. HPV types 6 and 11 cause approximately 90% of ano-genital warts. The HPV vaccine appears to be very effective in preventing HPV infection and changes in the cell of the cervix related to these types of HPV. Public Health Agency of Canada.

The HPV vaccine is now available at the Albany Medical Clinic. It is administered in three doses. Visit your family doctor to discuss the pros and cons of the vaccine as a preventative measure against cervical or other cancers. If you don't have a family doctor, view a list of our practitioners. We also have a Walk-in Clinic that is open 365 days a year.

Visit these websites that have more information about HPV:

• Two websites referred by The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC):
  • Spread the Word - Not the Disease at hpvinfo.ca - Their multimedia centre has a variety of videos, games and interactive quizzes.
    
• Ontario's Grade 8 HPV Vaccination Program - Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care
  Brochures and fact sheets are available; Ask An Expert resource; Girl Talk - Quiz and FAQs
• Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccination Program - Toronto Public Health
  Resources for parents and teachers; school-based and community clinics; FAQs in multiple languages.
• Healthy Living Human Papillomavirus (HPV) - Health Canada
• Human Papillomavirus (HPV) - Public Health Agency of Canada

Websites listed above do not imply an endorsement by us. Click here to read our website's Terms of Use.