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The Cancer Prevention Tool We Don't Talk About Enough: Vaccines and Women's Sexual Health

Every August, National Immunization Awareness Month highlights the important role vaccines play in protecting people of all ages from preventable diseases. While many people associate immunizations with childhood illnesses, vaccines remain an essential part of healthcare throughout our lives.


For women, one vaccine deserves particular attention: the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, commonly known as Gardasil 9. Unlike many vaccines that primarily prevent infectious diseases, the HPV vaccine also helps prevent several types of cancer, making it one of the most powerful tools available in modern preventive healthcare.


As conversations about sexual and reproductive health continue to evolve, understanding the role of HPV vaccination is an important step toward protecting long-term health.


What Is HPV?

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly everyone who is sexually active will be exposed to HPV at some point in their lifetime if they are not vaccinated (CDC, 2024).


There are more than 200 types of HPV. Many infections resolve on their own without causing symptoms or long-term complications. However, some high-risk strains can lead to serious health conditions, including:

  • Cervical cancer

  • Vaginal cancer

  • Vulvar cancer

  • Anal cancer

  • Penile cancer

  • Certain head and neck cancers

  • Genital warts


Because HPV infections often produce no symptoms, many people do not know they have been exposed until abnormal screening results or health complications occur.


Why HPV Matters for Women's Health

Nearly all cases of cervical cancer are caused by persistent infection with high-risk HPV strains (World Health Organization [WHO], 2025).


While cervical cancer screening through Pap tests and HPV testing remains critically important, vaccination offers an opportunity to prevent many HPV-related cancers before they ever develop.


For decades, women's health advocates have worked to shift healthcare conversations from treatment alone to prevention. The HPV vaccine is one of the strongest examples of what preventive healthcare can achieve.


By preventing infection from the most dangerous HPV strains, vaccination can significantly reduce the risk of developing cervical cancer and several other HPV-related cancers later in life.


What Is Gardasil 9?

Gardasil 9 is the HPV vaccine currently used in the United States. It protects against nine HPV types, including the strains responsible for the majority of HPV-related cancers and genital warts (CDC, 2024).


The vaccine is routinely recommended for preteens beginning at ages 11–12, although vaccination can start as early as age 9. Catch-up vaccination is recommended through age 26 for those who were not adequately vaccinated when younger (CDC, 2024).


Adults ages 27 through 45 may also benefit from vaccination in certain circumstances and should discuss their individual risk factors and eligibility with a healthcare provider (CDC, 2024).


Importantly, Gardasil 9 does not treat existing HPV infections. Instead, it helps prevent future infections from the HPV types covered by the vaccine.


Addressing Common Misconceptions

Despite decades of research demonstrating the vaccine's safety and effectiveness, misconceptions about HPV vaccination persist.


One common myth is that HPV vaccination encourages sexual activity. Research has consistently shown no evidence that receiving the HPV vaccine leads to earlier sexual activity or riskier sexual behaviors (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists [ACOG], 2024).


Another misconception is that vaccination is unnecessary if someone is already sexually active. While vaccination is most effective before exposure to HPV, many sexually active individuals may still receive meaningful protection against HPV strains they have not yet encountered.


The HPV vaccine is ultimately about health protection, not assumptions about behavior.


Vaccination and Health Equity

Cervical cancer disproportionately affects women who experience barriers to healthcare access, including uninsured individuals, rural populations, and historically marginalized communities.


Vaccination, regular screening, and access to follow-up care are all critical components of reducing these disparities.


The World Health Organization has identified HPV vaccination as a key strategy in its global effort to eliminate cervical cancer as a public health problem (WHO, 2025).

Ensuring equitable access to vaccination and preventive care is essential to improving women's health outcomes.


Prevention Is a Form of Self-Care

At SHE+, we believe that prevention deserves a place in every conversation about sexual and reproductive health.


Whether it's scheduling a Pap test, discussing contraception, getting tested for sexually transmitted infections, or staying up to date on recommended vaccines, preventive healthcare empowers people to make informed decisions about their bodies and futures.

National Immunization Awareness Month serves as a reminder that vaccines are not just about preventing illness today; they are about protecting long-term health and expanding opportunities for healthy futures.


The HPV vaccine is one of the few tools available that can help prevent cancer before it starts. That's not just a public health achievement. It's a women's health achievement.

And it's one worth talking about.


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