CDC data suggests attitudes are shifting about the HPV vaccine: Utah vaccine rates among teens increased more than 16%
Mandy Murry's life should have been full of possibilities, but instead she was faced with a devastating diagnosis. Murry was 22 when she was diagnosed with cervical cancer. To treat it, she had her cervix and uterus removed. Her doctor believes the human papillomavirus caused her cancer (HPV). "I was expected to have that 'happily ever after' story of having my own kids," says Murry, 41, of Utah, who now lives in North Carolina. "I was unprepared for the extent of healing required following surgery. I felt 'less than' without a uterus. I didn't believe I deserved to be happy. I did not select HPV. Due to unforeseen circumstances, it was given to me. Because the vaccine did not exist when I was younger, this could have been avoided." Image Source HPV is a family of more than 200 viruses, 40 of which are transmitted through direct sexual contact. It is the most common sexually transmitted infection and is responsible for nearly all cervical ca...