Janice R. Andrews
Walmart and the American Cancer Society (ACS) have teamed together in a ground-breaking partnership to fight the startling increase in HPV-related cancer cases in the US. Through this strategic alliance, thousands of cancer cases could be prevented annually by making the HPV vaccine easily accessible to both boys and girls beginning at age 9.
The announcement is made from a very personal place, as the writer considers their personal experiences with cancer and the significant effects it has had on their lives. The importance of cancer prevention is underscored by personal struggles with human papillomavirus (HPV) and the tragic death of a single mother due to breast cancer.
Ninety percent of Americans live within ten miles of a Walmart store, and the retail behemoth understands that it has a unique opportunity to significantly influence community healthcare. Walmart hopes to help prevent HPV-related cancers early by providing the vaccine at their pharmacies across the country.
Nearly 37,300 cancer cases are caused by HPV each year in the United States, and vaccination has shown to be a very successful preventive strategy.
With the vaccine’s long-lasting effectiveness offering over 90% protection against infections and precancers, there is hope in the fight against cancer.
The campaign emphasises the value of immunising children at the appropriate ages and the necessity of beginning prevention at a young age. Walmart hopes to save millions of lives by collaborating with the ACS to increase public awareness of and accessibility to the HPV vaccine.
People are urged to find out more about Walmart’s relationship with the ACS as it develops, find the closest Walmart pharmacy, and schedule appointments for their children’s vaccinations. This collaborative endeavour between a major retailer and a well-known cancer research group is a critical advancement in the overall battle against cancer.
