PATIENT GUIDE
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WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW ABOUT HPV?
HPV, or the human papillomavirus, is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the world today and can affect any man or woman who is sexually active. GARDASIL®9 is the first and only vaccine that helps protect you against 9 HPV types that can lead to certain HPV-related cancers and diseases.
HPV-related cancers & diseases
HPV infection can lead to several HPV-related cancers and diseases in men and women.
Cervical cancer
Symptoms can include abnormal vaginal bleeding, pain during intercourse, increased vaginal discharge, pain in the pelvic area or lower back, weight loss, lack of energy and shortness of breath.
Photograph courtesy of Dr. Michel Roy
Head & neck cancer
Symptoms can include a lump or sore in the head and neck area that does not heal, a sore throat that doesn’t go away, white or red patches in the mouth, difficulty swallowing or a change in the voice.
Photograph courtesy of Dr. Anthony Zeitouni
Anal cancer
Symptoms can include anal bleeding, difficulty passing stools, pain, lumps, itching or discharge.
Photograph courtesy of Dr. Alex Ferenczy
Vaginal or vulvar cancer
Often shows no signs. Can cause itchiness or burning that does not go away, pain in the pelvic area, abnormal vaginal bleeding, difficulty urinating or painful intercourse.
Photograph courtesy of Dr. Michel Roy
Genital warts
Small, cauliflower-like growths that may itch or burn. They can be raised or flat, small or large, and grow alone or in clusters.
Photograph courtesy of Dr. Alex Ferenczy
Penile cancer*
Can appear as a raised, wart-like or flat growth on the head or foreskin of the penis and can be painful and inflamed, with some itching and burning in the area.
Photograph courtesy of Dr. Alex Ferenczy
Anal cancer, or cancer of the anus, is rare but increasing.
In 2016, 200 men were diagnosed with anal cancer in Canada.
HPV is the leading cause of genital warts.
HPV types 6 and 11 cause over 90% of genital warts in men and women.
HPV IS RESPONSIBLE FOR NEARLY 100% OF CERVICAL CANCER CASES
Cervical cancer will kill an estimated 380 Canadian women in 2022.*
It is estimated that 4 cases of cervical cancer are diagnosed in Canada every day.
Cervical cancer is the 3rd most common cancer in Canadian women 20–40 years of age.
How to help reduce your risk
Get vaccinated with GARDASIL®9
HPV vaccination is one of the top ways to help protect yourself against certain HPV-related cancers and diseases.
You can also help reduce your risk of HPV infection by:
Limiting your number of sexual partners
Using a condom correctly and consistently
Not smoking
Who should consider getting GARDASIL®9?
You can get the HPV virus at any point in your life while sexually active. GARDASIL®9 can be administered in
individuals 9–45 years of age.
If you are already sexually active, or have already had an HPV infection, you could still benefit from HPV vaccination. Though GARDASIL®9 cannot treat an existing HPV infection, you can still benefit from GARDASIL®9 even if you are already infected with one type of HPV. If that type of HPV is contained in the vaccine, GARDASIL®9 will still help protect you against the other eight types.
SPREAD THE WORD ABOUT HPV!
You can choose to help protect yourself – and so can those around you!
If you choose to help protect yourself with vaccination, discuss HPV prevention with your partner, friends, family and loved ones. You may also want to share the insights from this website with them!
Help protect yourself against certain HPV-related cancers and diseases
Find out how you can get your GARDASIL®9 vaccine today! You can also begin the process by connecting with a virtual healthcare provider and finding a local vaccination site near you.
GARDASIL®9: Complete the vaccination series for full benefits
If receiving GARDASIL®9, make sure to get the complete vaccine series. This will allow you to get the full benefits.
You may be covered!
PRIVATE INSURANCE COVERAGE
Many private insurance plans reimburse some or all of the cost of GARDASIL®9, so make sure to check with your provider. Even if your plan does not include coverage for GARDASIL®9, it may still be covered under your health spending account.
If you have a drug benefit wallet card, simply present your card to a pharmacist along with the Drug Identification Number (DIN) for GARDASIL®9 (02437058) and ask if you are covered.
YOU COULD BE ELIGIBLE FOR A FREE HPV VACCINE
GARDASIL®9 is also offered to students – and certain adults – through publicly-funded programs across Canada.
Have a question about GARDASIL®9? Check out our FAQ section.
* GARDASIL®9 is not indicated to reduce mortality or for the treatment or prevention of penile cancer.
† Actual Canadian cervical cancer patient. May not be representative of all patients.
Safety Information
GARDASIL®9 is a vaccine indicated for individuals 9 through 45 years of age for the prevention of infection caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) types 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52 and 58 and the following diseases associated with the HPV types included in the vaccine: certain head and neck cancers, such as throat and back of mouth cancers, caused by HPV types 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52, and 58. GARDASIL®9 has been approved with conditions. This means it has passed Health Canada’s review and can be bought and sold in Canada, but the manufacturer has agreed to complete more studies to make sure the vaccine works the way it should. For more information, talk to your healthcare professional.
GARDASIL®9 is also indicated for individuals 9 through 45 years of age for the prevention of infection caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) types 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52 and 58 and the following diseases associated with the HPV types included in the vaccine: cervical, vulvar, vaginal and anal cancer caused by HPV types 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52, and 58; genital warts (condyloma acuminata) caused by HPV types 6 and 11; abnormal and precancerous cervical lesions (changes in cells of the cervix that have a risk of turning into cancer) as found in a Pap test caused by HPV types 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52 and 58; abnormal and precancerous vaginal, vulvar (outside of the female genital area) and anal lesions caused by HPV types 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52 and 58.
GARDASIL®9 does not protect the person getting the vaccine from a disease that is caused by other types of HPV, other viruses, or bacteria, and from HPV types that he/she may already have; but most people do not have all types contained in the vaccine. GARDASIL®9 does not treat HPV infection, cancers and diseases, or prevent its complications. GARDASIL®9 may not fully protect each person who gets it. GARDASIL®9 does not remove the need for screening for cervical, vulvar, vaginal, anal, and certain head and neck cancers, such as throat and back of mouth cancers; women should still get routine cervical cancer screening. GARDASIL®9 is not recommended for use in pregnant women and should only be used during pregnancy if a doctor or healthcare professional decides it is clearly needed. Women who become pregnant before completion of the vaccine series should complete their vaccination schedule after childbirth. If you are breastfeeding, talk to your doctor or healthcare professional. GARDASIL®9 may cause some side effects and allergic reactions. The most common side effects seen are pain, swelling, redness, itching, bruising, bleeding, a lump where the shot is given, headache, fever, nausea, dizziness, tiredness, diarrhea, abdominal pain and sore throat. Fainting can happen after getting an HPV vaccine. Signs of an allergic reaction may include difficulty breathing, wheezing (bronchospasm), hives and rash. This is not a complete list of side effects; for any unexpected effects while taking GARDASIL®9, contact your doctor or pharmacist. Contact your doctor or healthcare professional to determine if GARDASIL®9 is an appropriate option for you.
Information about GARDASIL®9 is provided in the Product Monograph and Consumer Information, available here.
HPV=human papillomavirus.
