HPV Education and Patient Navigation Project
What is HPV?
The Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a very common virus that can cause several types of cancer, including cervical, vaginal, vulvar, penile, anal, head and neck, and throat cancers. HPV is responsible for more than 90% of cervical cancers and accounts for approximately 3% of all cancer cases among women and 2% among men in the United States.
HPV is also a major cause of head and neck cancers, particularly oropharyngeal cancers affecting the throat, tonsils, and base of the tongue. These cancers are becoming more common, and about 70% of U.S. cases are now caused by high-risk HPV types.
In Colorado, an estimated 469 people are diagnosed with HPV-associated cancers each year. The HPV vaccine can prevent over 90% of cervical cancers and significantly reduce the risk of many other cancers caused by HPV.
What is the project?
The Office of Community Outreach and Engagement (COE) is collaborating with Denver Health Hospital and Authority to increase HPV vaccination rates and prevent cancers caused by HPV. COE is conducting an education and patient navigation program to provide HPV and cancer prevention education and assist eligible Denver Health patients with scheduling HPV vaccination appointments.
Who is this for?
This program is available to:
- Parents or guardians of adolescents ages 9–17 who receive care at Denver Health
- Young adult patients ages 18–26 who receive care at Denver Health
What will I be asked to do?
Participants will be asked to:
- Electronically sign a consent form (approximately 2 minutes)
- Watch short educational videos about HPV and the HPV vaccine (approximately 7 minutes)
- Complete a brief survey after watching the videos (approximately 5–10 minutes)
How do I sign up?
If you are an eligible Denver Health patient and would like to participate, you can:
Contact Carlo Caballero or Sindy Gonzalez
- Phone: 720-441-2529
- Email: [email protected]
Or sign up online:
Click here to sign up
Compensation
Participants who complete the post-education survey will receive a $25 gift card. Gift cards are processed on Mondays and may take up to two weeks to receive.