The University of Kansas Cancer Center reports two significant developments in the fight against cancers caused by the Human Papillomavirus (HPV).

First, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) just approved a two dose schedule for the HPV vaccine. The previous schedule called for three doses. Kevin Ault, MD, obstetrics and gynecology, sits on FDA committees reviewing HPV treatments and says the two shot regimen, with the shots one year apart, will make it more likely adolescent girls and boys will follow through to get both shots.  He says this should improve HPV vaccination rates, which in turn, will reduce the numbers of cervical cancers and throat cancers.

 Terry Tsue MD, ENT, says an increase in vaccination rates would be welcome in Kansas, where the rates had been the worst in 50 states.  However, Dr. Tsue reports the latest figures from the Centers for Disease Control show Kansas is improving.

The numbers of Kansas females completing the 3 shot regimen went up nearly 28 percent in 2015, which improved Kansas’ ranking in HPV vaccination completion to number 45.  However the number of boys completing the vaccinations went down 5 percent in the state, ranking the state as number 48.

In the video, Dr. Ault and Dr. Tsue comment on the new two dose vaccine and how the progress in Kansas is welcome news. The video also shows young patients receiving the vaccine and Dr. Tsue in surgery.