HPV Vaccine Proven To Reduce Cancer Risk in Men, yet Fewer Boys Receive Shots in the US

According to a recent study, the HPV vaccine helps prevent cancer from developing in men. However, immunization rates in boys in the United States are still significantly lower than in girls.

Despite the vaccine's proven efficacy in lowering HPV-related cancers, which is a severe public health concern, this disparity nevertheless exists.

HPV Vaccine Proven to Reduce Cancer Risk in Men — (Photo: Unsplash/CDC )

HPV Vaccine's Broader Impact in Protecting Men

The HPV vaccine was initially made for women to protect them from developing cervical cancer, but because of the widespread immunization and screening, cervical cancer rates have significantly decreased. Recent data indicates that men who receive the vaccine also had a significantly lower incidence of cancer overall, especially in the mouth and throat, where men are more likely than women to develop cancer.

In a large study with 3.4 million people of comparable ages, researchers examined cancer risks in HPV-vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals. The results were startling: men who had received the vaccination showed a decreased incidence of HPV-related cancers, such as anus, penis, and particularly throat and mouth cancers. In particular, there were far fewer HPV-related malignancies among vaccinated males-just 26 among those who were not-which suggests that the vaccination has preventive effects.

Dr. Joseph Curry, co-author of the study and head and neck surgeon at the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center in Philadelphia, emphasized the vaccine's long-term effects. He suggested that the maximum benefit from the vaccine would likely occur in the next two or three decades, with current findings representing an early wave of its impact.

The American Society of Clinical Oncology presented these results, which will be discussed further at their next annual meeting in Chicago. Even though HPV vaccination rates are rising, male rates still trail far behind female rates, according to a different study presented at the symposium.

Human papillomavirus, commonly known as HPV, is usually a sexually transmitted infection that, if left unchecked, can lead to severe malignancies. Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that HPV causes around 37,000 cancer cases every year in the U.S., which includes 12,500 occurrences of oropharyngeal cancer in men.

Addressing the Gender Gap in Vaccination Rates

In 2006, the HPV vaccine was recommended for girls aged 11 and 12; in 2011, boys were added to the same age. However, according to a study that focused on vaccination rates from 2011 to 2020, the vaccination rates for males rose from 8% to 36%, and for females, they rose from 38% to 49%.

According to Dr. Danh Nguyen, a researcher from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, the HPV vaccine uptake by young males has risen more than fourfold in the last decade. Yet, despite the increase in the community, young males still have lower vaccination rates than females.

Public health experts emphasize the importance of vaccinating both boys and girls against HPV to maximize cancer prevention benefits. Jasmin Tiro of the University of Chicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center insisted on the significance of teenagers receiving the vaccine before they're exposed to the virus.

Even with the HPV vaccine's apparent advantages, widespread adoption is still challenging due to growing vaccine skepticism and reluctance. However, substantial evidence points to a vital chance of significantly lowering cancer incidence by raising immunization rates.

The relevance of the Gardasil HPV vaccine was demonstrated by Merck, the vaccine's maker, who claimed a significant rise in sales. However, to provide widespread protection against HPV-related malignancies, public health initiatives must concentrate on bridging the vaccination gap among males.