I would NOT necessarily call Alberta's healthcare progressive... the province lacks research dollars big time!! As an oral cancer patient, I have'nt been all that impressed since moving here from Vancouver. Dr. Joseph Dort ENT is a shining star among some real apathy here, my own surgeon included :P (Wish Dr. Dort had been my surgeon) Seems they dont see much oral cancer here compared to BC, or at least not early stages. With the research study that I was part of in Vancouver before my diagnosis and the 2nd stage now beign carried out here in Calgary as well, perhaps we will begin seeing progress.

I have been asking my surgeon, his nurse educator and the Cancer Agency here for information on Oral Cancer Awareness programs that I could get involved with, since my 1st surgery back in October 2011, to no avail. Everyone I ask says not not aware of anything locally.

Alberta is a little like the Old Souths' grown up rich cousin. Very conservative, religious and more of an old boys business network. Which makes the vaccine a harder sell here than say Ontario or BC.

In fact, last fall, The (NACI)National Advisory Council on Immunization's American counterpart, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, voted to strongly recommend use of HPV vaccine in boys and young men in the US as well. So it may well be the US that jumps on this first!!

Lives are being lost...lets get the boys vaccinated too!!