There’s a lot of controversy surrounding the HPV vaccine, and quite a few myths as well. But the bottom line is, this simple vaccine can prevent HPV-linked cancers – and that’s a big deal. HPV is transmitted sexually, can lead to certain cancers, and is really wide-spread in the United States. In fact, if you’re an American and you have sex, there’s a pretty high chance that you have it.
One reason parents resist getting the vaccine for their kids is due to a myth that it can cause autism. “The HPV vaccines do not cause autism, there’s always a risk of some vaccine-related side effects … local site injection pain, some redness, some swelling,” says Dr. Jessica Geiger, a medical oncologist at Cleveland Clinic Cancer Center. “There are no syndromes such as autism or other neurologic symptoms that have been linked to the HPV vaccines.”
Read MoreLearn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.
