 Here's another Thrive Tip from Kaiser Permanente and Fox 12. It's well known that the HPV vaccine prevents cervical cancer, but many people are surprised to learn it can prevent other forms of cancer that affect both men and women. HPV is very common. Up to 80% of Americans will be exposed to the virus during their lifetime. Most of the time the virus goes away on its own, but if it doesn't it can cause several types of cancer, including cancers of the cervix, mouth, and throat. Most people associate HPV with cervical cancer, but cancers of the mouth and throat are on the rise in young men and they can both be prevented. The vaccine is safe and most effective when it's given between the ages 11 and 12, before someone's been exposed to the virus. The CDC also recommends vaccinations for females age 13 through 26 and for males age 13 through 21 years who have not been vaccinated. This has been another Thrive Tip sponsored by Kaiser Permanente and Fox 12.