Human Papillomavirus (HPV) will affect an estimated 75% to 80% of males and females in their lifetime. For most, HPV clears on its own, but for others HPV could cause significant consequences including cervical, vaginal, and vulvar cancers in females. Other types of HPV could cause genital HPV (genital warts) in both females and males.

Each day in the United States, 30 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer (about 11,000 women per year) and 11 women die from it. Cervical cancer is cancer of the cervix (the lower part of the uterus that connects to the vagina). Unlike some other cancers, cervical cancer is not considered to be passed down through family genes.

There are about 6 million new cases of genital HPV (genital warts) in the United States each year. It's estimated that 74% of them occur in 15 to 24 year olds. Each minute in the United States, there is a new case of genital warts. About 2 out of 3 people will get genital warts after having any kind of genital contact with someone infected.

The Gardasil vaccination is the only HPV vaccine that helps protect against 4 types of HPV. In females ages 9 to 26, Gardasil helps protect against 2 types of HPV that cause about 75% of cervical cancer cases, and 2 more types that cause 90% of genital warts cases. Gardasil also helps protect females against 70% of vaginal cancer cases and up to 50% of vulvar cancer cases. In males ages 9 to 26, Gardasil helps protect against 90% of genital warts cases. Gardasil is given as 3 injections over 6 months.

Gardasil may not fully protect everyone, nor will it protect against diseases caused by other HPV types or against diseases not caused by HPV. Gardasil does not prevent all types of cervical cancer, so it's important for women to continue routine cervical cancer screenings. Gardasil does not treat cancer or genital warts.

Valley Health provides the Gardasil vaccination free of charge to most females and males ages 14 to 26, who are uninsured or whose insurance does not cover vaccinations. Please contact Valley Health directly to see if you qualify!

Plus, if you receive the Gardasil vaccination in January, February, March or April, you can enter to win a door prize valued at $75!

Talk to your health care professional at Valley Health about Gardasil today! Call (701) 775-4251.

For more information on the Gardasil vaccine, visit www.Gardasil.com