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HPV: Protect
your tween
or teen
A vaccine that could protect your
child from cancer later in life?
It’s the HPV vaccine. And it
can do just that.
HPV is a virus that’s spread
through sexual activity. Nearly
everyone is exposed to HPV at
some point in their lives.
HPV can cause several types
of cancer. One of the most
common is cer vical cancer.
But the HPV vaccine can help
prevent these cancers.
The vaccine is proven safe
and effective. It is given in
a series of three shots over
six months.
WHO NEEDS IT?
Boys and
girls should get the shots around
age 11 or 12. That’s the age
when the body responds best to
the vaccine.
But older kids who missed
having the shots still need them.
The vaccine is good for boys up to
age 21 and for girls up to age 26.
If your child is 11 or older,
call his or her provider’s office
to set up a visit. Let them know
you want your child to have the
HPV shots.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
TEEN LIFESTYLE CHOICES
Give your child
the facts
T
eens may pretend that they
don’t listen to their parents.
But they do.
In fact, as a mom or dad, you’re
the biggest in uence in your child’s
life. So use your power to help your
teen be healthy and stay safe.
Talk with your child often—not
just once—about risky behaviors.
But don’t lecture. Instead, share
facts to help your teen make safe
choices about:
Tobacco, alcohol and drugs.
Most teens already know that
smoking causes cancer. But that
might seem like a faraway problem.
So tell your teen that smoking
stains teeth and can cause bad
breath and a nasty cough.
And what about alcohol and
drugs? ey can hurt your teen’s
brain and body and make it hard to
learn or even play sports.
Sex.
Your teen needs to know it’s
possible to get pregnant anytime
birth control isn’t used—or isn’t
used correctly. Speak up, too, about
sexually transmitted infections. Tell
your teen they can be easily spread
through sex and that always using
a condom can help prevent them.
Risky driving.
Tell your teen
how dangerous it is to use a
cellphone behind the wheel.
Texting is especially unsafe. It takes
your eyes, hands and mind o the
road. And alcohol a ects judgment.
It can cause drivers to make deadly
mistakes. at’s particularly true
for new drivers like teens.
Be a good role model.
Remember that actions speak louder
than words. So set a good example
for your teen. If you make safe
choices—such as not lighting up—
your teen is more likely to do the
same. You’ll protect your health too.
Sources: American Academy of Pediatrics; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
teen health
APRIL IS ALCOHOL
AWARENESS MONTH.
Give
your teenager the facts. If you
are interested in finding out
more about our health education
services, please call us at
661-632-1590
(Bakersfield)
or
800-391-2000
(outside of
Bakersfield) and ask for the
Health Education Department.
APRIL IS SEXUALLY
TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS
AWARENESS MONTH—
and a
great time to talk to your teen.
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KFHC office address: 5701 Truxtun Ave., No. 201, Bakersfield, CA 93309
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family
health