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HPV Vaccination Rates Still Low

(Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

(Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Dr. Brian McDonough

Reporting Dr. Brian McDonough

By Dr. Brian McDonough, Medical Editor

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – This is one of those good news and bad news scenarios. The cancer death rate continues to decline including lung, colon, breast, and prostate cancer. There has been a decline for twenty years. However, the death rates from melanoma and cancers of the pancreas, liver, and uterus all appear to be on the rise.

There is also a disturbing trend with cancers associated with hpv, the human papilloma virus.  Hpv-related esophageal and anal cancers are up.

What is disturbing is that and the vaccination rates for hpv, which could make a dent in those numbers, remains low.

In 2010, fewer than half of girls aged 13-17 had received even just one dose of the vaccine against hpv, while only 32% had received the recommended 3 doses. The American Academy of Pediatrics has since recommended that teenage boys also be vaccinated.

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