Farrah Fawcett died in 2009 from anal cancer but today her spirit lives on through the Farrah Fawcett Foundation. Farrah was known for her role in the hit T.V. series Charlie’s Angels as well as other acting roles. She was also a sculptor. She documented her struggle with cancer (see “Farrah’s Story”) and showed the world what it was like to put up an intense fight. She lost the battle but she was determined to help others in the process.
The Farrah Fawcett Foundation aims to educate the public about HPV-related cancer. The foundation provides cutting-edge research in memory of Farrah’s life and her fight to the end. It provides patient assistance funds for those faced with mounting expenses during treatment.
The Farrah Fawcett Foundation and Stand Up To Cancer have collaborated by creating a research team dedicated to HPV-related cancers. To date, the FFF has donated over $1,500,000 with participation from the HPV and Anal Cancer Foundation. The team is now at clinical trial at Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston. According to the CDC, high-risk human papilloma viruses are responsible for 90% of anal cancers.
What is HPV (human papillomavirus)?
According to cancer.gov, HPV is a group of more than 200 related viruses, some of which are spread through vaginal, anal, or oral sex. Sexually transmitted HPV types fall into two groups, low risk and high risk.
- Low-risk HPVs mostly cause no disease. However, a few low-risk HPV types can cause warts on or around the genitals, anus, mouth, or throat.
- High-risk HPVs can cause several types of cancer. There are about 14 high-risk HPV types including HPV 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59, 66, and 68. Two of these, HPV16 and HPV18, are responsible for most HPV-related cancers.
HPV infection is common: Nearly all sexually active people are infected with HPV within months to a few years of becoming sexually active. Around half of these infections are with a high-risk HPV type.
HPV can infect both males and females. Both men and women can become infected with HPV and develop HPV-caused cancers.
Most HPV infections don’t cause cancer: Your immune system usually controls HPV infections so they don’t cause cancer.
High-risk HPV infections that persist can cause cancer: Sometimes HPV infections are not successfully controlled by your immune system. When a high-risk HPV infection persists for many years, it can lead to cell changes that, if untreated, may get worse over time and become cancer.
HPV vaccination can prevent cancer: HPV vaccines can prevent infection with disease-causing HPV types, preventing many HPV-related cancers and cases of genital warts.
What Cancers Are Caused by HPV Infection?
Long-lasting infections with high-risk HPVs can cause cancer in parts of the body where HPV infects cells, such as in the cervix, oropharynx (the part of the throat at the back of the mouth, behind the oral cavity that also includes the back third of the tongue, the soft palate, the side and back walls of the throat, and the tonsils), anus, penis, vagina, and vulva.
HPV infects the squamous cells that line the inner surfaces of these organs. For this reason, most HPV-related cancers are a type of cancer called squamous cell carcinoma. Some cervical cancers come from HPV infection of gland cells in the cervix and are called adenocarcinomas.
HPV-related cancers include:
- Cervical cancer: Virtually all cervical cancers are caused by HPV. Routine screening can prevent most cervical cancers by allowing health care providers to find and remove precancerous cells before they develop into cancer. As a result, cervical cancer incidence rates in the United States are decreasing. Learn more about trends and statistics for cervical cancer.
- Oropharyngeal cancers: Most of these cancers, which develop in the throat (usually the tonsils or the back of the tongue), are caused by HPV (70% of those in the United States). The number of new cases is increasing each year, and oropharyngeal cancers are now the most common HPV-related cancer in the United States. Learn more about trends in diagnosis and survival rates of oral cavity and pharynx cancer.
- Anal cancer: Over 90% of anal cancers are caused by HPV. The number of new cases and deaths from anal cancer are increasing each year. Anal cancer is nearly twice as common in women as in men. Learn more about anal cancer statistics.
- Penile cancer: Most penile cancers (over 60%) are caused by HPV. Learn about the importance of getting recommended treatments for penile cancer, a rare type of cancer.
- Vaginal cancer: Most vaginal cancers (75%) are caused by HPV. Learn about symptoms of, and treatment for, vaginal cancer, a rare type of cancer.
- Vulvar cancer: Most vulvar cancers (70%) are caused by HPV. Learn about new cases and death rates from vulvar cancer, a rare type of cancer.
The American Cancer Society recommends that boys and girls get the HPV vaccine between the ages of 9 and 12. Teens and young adults through age 26 who are not already vaccinated should get the HPV vaccine as soon as possible. Teens who start the series late may need 3 shots instead of 2.
The HPV vaccine can protect your child’s future because it helps prevent six types of cancer later in life.
- HPV is a common virus that can cause 6 types of cancer.
- Prevention Matters! HPV cannot be treated, but there is a vaccine that can prevent it.
- The HPV vaccine works best when given between ages 9 and 12, for boys and girls.
- The HPV vaccine is safe, effective, and long-lasting.
HPV vaccination can prevent more than 90% of HPV cancers when given at the recommended ages.
It was so shocking when Farrah Fawcett got cancer. Your life can change so much from one day to the next.