HPV Vax Bash: The vaccine that can prevent cancer

By Madi Oglesby | Opinion editor

Cancer is a word that haunts almost every room you walk in. It is a poison that sadly haunts almost every family in America. 

Scientists have been trying for decades to find a cure for the different forms of cancer, and none have been discovered as of yet. However, there are two vaccines that have been found and proven to prevent certain cancers from forming. 

One of these vaccines is the HPV vaccine, for the Human Papillomavirus. This virus can cause things as small as warts but, in some cases, can also cause cancer. The HPV vaccine has proven to prevent six different kinds of cancers, such as cervical, penile, and anal.

This past week, the Georgia Cancer Center and Student Health Services came out to the JSAC Breezeway to raise awareness for this virus and the vaccine, something they called the HPV Vax Bash. There were many tables set up along the wall with different stations to teach Augusta University students about HPV and the importance of receiving the preventative vaccine.

The first table started you off with information about the HPV virus. I had never really heard much about this virus before going through the tables, but I had heard that it was a sexually transmitted disease. As I was speaking to the representatives from GCC, though, I came to find out that this is actually a common misconception. 

HPV is a disease that can be transferred from any sort of skin to skin contact, not just from sexual activity. This is why they are trying so hard to raise awareness for this vaccine, as the virus is so easy to catch.

I was able to speak with Maryclaire Regan, who is the Community Program Coordinator with the Cancer Information and Awareness branch of the GCC. One thing she shared with me about the commonality of the virus is that around 85% of people contract HPV in their lifetime. Whether they are just a carrier or not, she urges students to get the vaccine to prevent anything tragic from occuring. 

The Vax Bash event is held three times a year, following the vaccination schedule for the virus– one in September, October, and March. They brought this vaccine to the school because, a few years ago, only 37% of AU students had the vaccine. Regan shared that anyone over the age of 15 needs three vaccines to fully protect themselves against HPV and the cancers that may come with it. 

Student Health Services was there as well to look up each student’s information and see whether or not they had the vaccine already. At most bashes, they also have the vaccine available for students to go ahead and start. Sadly, they were not able to have it at this Bash. So, I definitely suggest either talking to your doctor about the vaccine or attending the next Vax Bash to get the vaccine. 

It is also available with Student Health Services as long as you have the Student Health Insurance package. 

Every representative there encourages students to get the HPV vaccine as early as possible. The vaccine is 99% effective at the prevention of these cancers, so getting it before you are exposed is the best possible move for students. 

If you haven’t attended already, I also highly encourage you to go to one of these HPV Vax Bashes to learn more about this virus and get the vaccine started. This vaccine is only one of two in the world that can prevent cancer, so it is not only a healthy preventative measure, but it could be a saving grace.

Student Health Services attended the HPV Vax Bash, Photo by Madi Oglesby.

Contact Madi Oglesby at auoglesby@augusta.edu.

Note: The above picture was taken at the HPV Vax Bash. Photo by Madi Oglesby.