Childhood immunizations against infectious diseases are a rite of passage, but what happens when the vaccine is supposed to protect against cancer? Texas Governor Rick Perry tried to make vaccination with Gardasil, the first drug to protect against human papillomavirus (HPV) and cervical cancer, mandatory for sixth-grade girls. At least 20 other states followed suit but without much success. Legislators rejected Perry's proposal, but perhaps he was on to something. It turns out that HPV has been linked to throat cancer. Since oral sex spreads the disease, experts note that early HPV shots could reduce the risk of oral cancer as well.