Perspectives of College Students on HPV and Its Causation to Cancer: Are They Misinformed? ()
1. Introduction
The Human Papillomavirus (HPV), which causes genital warts, has been described for centuries. However, it has been in just the past few decades (around the 1970’s) that major breakthroughs have been made concerning HPV [1] . Since this time, over 100 different strands have been identified and it is estimated that over one third of these strands infect the genital track [2] . The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [3] approximate that in 2014, 79 million Americans were infected with HPV and that about 14 million new people will be infected each year. The CDC also estimates at least 80% of women will acquire an HPV infection by the time they reach 50 years of age [4] .
Warts can be a physical appearance that develops due to many strands of the HPV infection. However, a more dangerous presentation is the possibility of precancerous or even cancerous lesions if these warts persist for more than one to two years once they appear [5] . There are a number of HPV driven cancers that have been identified: cervical cancer, anal cancer, vulva cancer, vaginal cancer, penial cancer, and even oropharyngeal cancer (which includes cancer of the mouth, tongue, and throat). There has even been some correlation with the development of lung cancer due to contamination of HPV [6] .
When discussing the possibility of HPV driven cancers, most conversations circle around the idea of HPV’s correlation with cervical cancer. However, with the increase of screenings in developed countries, cervical cancer has been greatly reduced although there is now an increase of anal and oropharyngeal cancer. With the prevalence of gender driven HPV related cancers being reduced, it may be time for countries such as the United States to start focusing on prevention and education efforts for both males and females [7] .
Healthcare professionals carry many duties within their scope of practice, but one specific responsibility is to make sure patients are educated and understand what it takes to remain healthy. One area that seems to be under represented is in the education of young people regarding the benefits of the HPV vaccine. This research study was completed for multiple purposes, but this paper will specifically focus on those findings related to the overall comprehension of college students regarding HPV and associated cancers.
2. Methodology
To assess allied health students’ knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors regarding the HPV, a survey was developed with the assistance of subject experts. After multiple reviews, the final version of the survey consisted of 34 questions. This survey was distributed to students enrolled in a variety of healthcare related programs which includes dental hygiene, healthcare management, mortuary science and funeral services, physical therapist assistants, and radiologic sciences which is comprised of specializations in radiography, radiation therapy, CT/ MRI, and sonography. A total of 414 usable surveys were collected from 100% of the students the surveys were distributed to.
3. Demographics
The population of this study consisted of about 81% of the respondents being females and 19% were males. Two participants did not fill out this question on the survey. The ethnic background for each respondent is as follows; 81% white, 10% African American, 5% Hispanic or Latino, and about 6% selected indicted a different ethnicity.
When breaking the respondents into their undergraduate level of study, about 35% were in their senior year, 32% were in their junior year, 21% were in their sophomore year, and 11% were in their freshman year. The survey also tracked what program of study each respondent was from; about 36% were listed in the radiological sciences program, 22% were in the dental hygiene program, 14% were in the mortuary science and funeral service program, 14% were in the physical therapist assistant program, and 12% were in the healthcare management program. Two respondents did not fill out this question on the survey.
4. Key Findings
What Cancers Correlated with HPV?
One area of the study specifically asked college students what their base knowledge was about HPV and how they had been educated about the virus. One area of this study specifically asked what college students know or have been educated about when it comes to HPV. More specifically, which cancers college students perceive to be directly associated with the HPV infection. The research findings revealed there is an astounding gap between what most healthcare professionals think and what most college students know.
It appears that most college students do not have even an elementary level understanding about HPV, even though most healthcare professionals consider this information to be basic common knowledge. When asked about the correlation of directly linked cancers to HPV, the majority of college students could not identify these specifically (see Table 1 for student responses).
When asked about cancers that are not directly linked to HPV, these same college students demonstrated they have not acquired the basic understanding of HPV or the causative links to cancer, even though most of them are studying to become a healthcare professional (see Table 2 for student responses).
To help determine when HPV information should be discussed as well as the most appropriate age to administer the HPV vaccine, students were asked about the age of their first sexual relationship (see Table 3 for student responses). This information is considered pertinent as sexual intercourse is a primary means of contracting the HPV. The HPV vaccine does not protect against a strain once it has been contracted [6] .
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Table 1. Proven HPV related cancers.
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Table 2. Proven HPV unrelated cancers.
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Table 3. Age of first sexual relationship.
5. Discussion
Research shows that the majority of new HPV infections take place in people who are in their late teens to early twenties, yet this research demonstrates the majority of the college students surveyed, have no indication of what cancers HPV can induce [8] . One statistic conducted by the CDC states that 70% of cervical cancer cases are directly correlated to HPV infections, which indicates how important this topic should be for this specific population [5] . Yet, almost 89% of those surveyed either thought HPV did not correlate with cervical cancer or was unsure if there was an association with the disease at all. An even more alarming discovery from the research found 71% of the college students thought HPV was a causative agent for breast cancer, although there is no relationship between breast cancer and HPV. If the current research is any sign on how college students perceive HPV or their overall level of understanding of the disease, it is fairly obvious that education on this topic or even communicating prevention methods such as the HPV vaccines are not being well transferred. Especially, when considering the HPV vaccines are the most beneficial before sexual activity is initiated since once a strain of the infection is acquired the vaccine will not protect against that specific strain of the virus [6] . The current research showed that over 75% of the respondents had been sexually active between the ages of 10 to 18 (see Table 3). This indicates students should be educated about HPV long before they reach college age.
Cancer is considered one of the main three preventable diseases along with heart disease and diabetes that affect approximately 1.7 million Americans each year [9] . When specifically discussing HPV related cancers, there are vaccines that can reduce ones risk of developing these cancers. It was stated by the former Secretary of Health and Human Services, Tommy Thomson, that approximately 95% of the budgetary healthcare expenditure is spent on treating patients, while only 5% of the expenses were devoted toward prevention [9] . The price of Gardasil (one of the HPV vaccines) according to the CDC is about $134 for a single dose, so after all three doses an individual would have about $400 invested in the vaccine and even less if it is covered by their insurance [10] . When estimating the overall expense of HPV related disease due to infections and cancer precursors, the cost is estimated to be about $3.4 billion nationwide and this does not take into account indirect costs such as quality of life and time lost from work due to sickness [6] . When considering the possible cost savings from the vaccination of HPV, it seems rational to assume that educating young people and their parents should be a priority, however, it seems this is not yet the case.
6. Conclusion
This research reveals that young people are not being educated about the risks of HPV or the cancers that it can cause once infected. HPV vaccination should not be considered or looked at as a parent giving permission to their child to have sexual intercourse, but rather as a deterrent to developing life-threatening disease such as cancer later in life. One study found that 46% of females had HPV diagnosed prior to vaginal intercourse, which indicates sexual intercourse is not the only method to contract the infection [11] . Being able to educate the public on the idea of vaccination against HPV infection should help reduce the overall illness induced by HPV, as well as reduce possible expense associated with the infection. It is estimated the United States annual spending on healthcare is close to $4 trillion dollars a year and is projected to be about $5 trillion by 2022 [12] . Simple preventive measures such as HPV vaccination could help reduce some of this expense and as a possible added benefit, save the lives of future generations as they become adults.