LEWISTON — Healthy Androscoggin, as part of Central Maine Community Health, recently received a $50,000 grant from the Maine Cancer Foundation to reduce cancer rates and increase HPV vaccinations over the next two years, which supports the goals of the Maine Cancer Plan 2021-25.

The Human Papillomavirus, or HPV, is a common virus that can lead to six types of cancers. The vaccine can help prevent HPV-associated cancers including cervical, oropharyngeal, and anal cancer, according to a news release from Corrie Brown with Healthy Androscoggin.

According to the Maine Cancer Registry, from 2011-2020 HPV factor-associated cancers in Maine were reported at a higher rate when compared to the rest of New England. And from 2016 to 2018 Androscoggin County reported a higher percentage of new HPV-associated cancer cases and while also having below average vaccination rates when compared to the state as a whole.

Prevention is the best way to reduce cancer rates, with the current HPV vaccine able to prevent over 90% of all HPV-related cancers from ever happening.

This HPV cancer prevention project will train providers on evidence-based interventions and educate specific populations about cancer prevention in culturally competent ways through a collaboration with local medical practices and with guidance from a trusted community partner, Maine Community Integration.

For more information about reducing cancer incidence and mortality rates in Maine, visit mainecancer.org.

For more information about this project, contact Healthy Androscoggin at 207-795-5990 or info@healthyandroscoggin.org, or visit healthyandroscoggin.org.

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