TYLER, Texas — The Human Papillomavirus, otherwise known as HPV, has the stigma of being spread through sexual contact.
While that is true, it is really a fluid-to-fluid transmission.
A vaccine for the virus was introduced back in 2006, and at the time it was only recommended for young women and girls, it was considered controversial due to the stigma of sexual contact.
While the sexual stigma is slowly changing, awareness about HPV and the vaccine is also slow moving.
NET Immunization Coalition with NET HEALTH is working to spread awareness of HPV, what it can do to you, and what the vaccine is all across East Texas.
They are hosting showings of the documentary "Someone you love: The HPV Epidemic".
The documentary goes through five different stories of women and families at different stages of their lives, dealing with the virus and cancer.
Cervical cancer is almost exclusively caused by HPV, and a myriad of other cancers result from the virus as well.
"The HPV vaccine is a vaccine that actually prevents cancer," Danita Alfred with the School of Nursing said, "HPV causes a variety of different cancers in women, the most common cancer it causes cervical cancer. It can also cause anal cancer, rectal cancer, oral cancers."
These cancers are preventable with the vaccine. If the vaccine prevents the virus, then the vaccine prevents the cancer that would come as a result of the virus.
The virus isn't just restricted to women; men can catch it too.
"I think the statistic is still about 80% of all people will have one or more strain with HPV same during their lifetime," Danita said.
A showing was held at UT Tyler on Monday for the School of Nursing.
"I'm 35, but I haven't been vaccinated, didn't have the opportunity obviously when I was younger but I do have young children now. A twelve-year-old-girl that has recently been vaccinated and I have a six-year-old son and four-year-old daughter that will be vaccinated as well," a nursing student said, "this is one of the vaccines that you can literally prevent cancer and that's a big deal."
According to the TX Department of State Health Services, Texas has more than 56,000 children with non-medical exemptions for "Reasons of Conscience".
One decade ago it was 10,000.
"There are an increasing number of people opting out," Alfred said.
There will be two screenings in Tyler next week. The first is Monday, March 11th at 12 p.m. at Studio Movie Grill.
The second is Thursday, March 14th at 3:00 p.m. at Liberty Hall Theater.