Conference on cancer-causing HPV in Lexington June 21

The Kentucky Rural Health Association is sponsoring a summit on the human papilloma virus, "HPV - You ARE the Key!" June 21 at the Embassy Suites in Lexington.

The HPV vaccine is nearly 100 percent effective in preventing pre-cancers and noninvasive cervical cancers caused by two strains of the virus, but most parents in Kentucky and the nation are still not getting their adolescents vaccinated. Kentucky falls in the bottom 10 states for HPV vaccination, with 37.5 percent of its girls and 13.3 percent of boys aged 13-17 vaccinated as of 2014.

The conference will host several keynote speakers, including:

• Kirk Forbes, who co-founded the Kristen Forbes EVE Foundation in honor of his 23-year-old daughter, Kristen Forbes, who passed away after a yearlong battle with HPV caused cervical cancer;
• Dr. Daron G. Ferris, professor and director of the Gynecologic Cancer Prevention Center at the Medical College of Georgia;
• Dr. W. Michael Brown, associate director and the director of pediatrics at the Bayfront Family Medicine Residency Program in St. Petersburg, among other positions; and
• Dr. Alix Casler, medical director of the Department of Pediatrics for Orlando Health Physician Associates, among other positions.

The conference is also sponsored in collaboration with the Kentucky Immunization Program and the Division of Women's Health.

The event will last from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 21 and costs $40 thru June 1, and $55 after that date. Continuing education credits will be offered. Click here to register and here for the draft agenda.