AURORA, Colo. (KRDO) – April is marking Oral Cancer Awareness Month and the Alliance for HPV Free Colorado is encouraging parents to get their kids vaccinated to help prevent HPV-related cancers.
According to the Oral Cancer Foundation, approximately 54,000 Americans were diagnosed with oral or oropharyngeal cancers in the U.S. just last year.
Human Papillomavirus, or HPV, according to the Foundation, is estimated to cause 70% of all oropharyngeal cancer cases.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends adolescent boys and girls get the HPV vaccine from ages 11-12 but the Alliance for HPV Free Colorado says it can be administered as early as nine.