<strong>Cancer deaths decline: incidence of HPV cancers rise.</strong>

The good news is that cancer deaths continue to fall. The bad news is that cancers associated with the human papillomavirus (HPV) continue to rise, according to a report on the status of cancer published online in the January 7<sup>th</sup> edition of the <i>Journal of the National Cancer Institute</i>.

The report indicated that from 2000 through 2009, rates of new cases for HPV-associated oropharyngeal  (middle throat) cancer increased among white men and women, as did rates for anal cancer among white and black men and women. Incidence rates for cancer of the vulva increased among white and black women whereas rates of cervical cancer declined among all women except American Indian/Alaska Natives. Additionally, the rate of new cervical cancers was higher among women living in lower socioeconomic areas. Among men, rates for penile cancer were stable.

The report also noted HPV vaccination rates among girls in the U.S. were low. A three-dose course of the vaccine is recommended. Researchers found that only 32% of teenage girls, 13 through 17 years of age, received all three doses in 2010.