A large study suggests that boys who get the HPV vaccine can almost halve their risk of developing some types of cancer.
Researchers found that men who received the newest version of the vaccine were much less likely to develop cancers linked to the virus, including those of the head, neck and penis.
The study, published in JAMA Oncology, analyzed health records from more than three million young adults. The results showed that those who received the vaccine, which protects against nine types of the virus, had a 46% lower risk of HPV-related cancers overall.
In concrete terms, the risk fell from about 12.5 cases per 100,000 unvaccinated males to 7.8 cases per 100,000 in those who were vaccinated. The protective effect was seen in both adolescents and young adults.
The human papillomavirus (HPV) is very common and is transmitted through skin-to-skin contact. Although it is often harmless, it can cause serious illness and is linked to several types of cancer, including those of the genital area, anus, head and neck, and cervical cancer in women.
So far, most evidence on the protective effect of the vaccine has focused on women, particularly for preventing cervical cancer. Meanwhile, studies in men have often only looked at reducing infections, not directly preventing cancer.
This latest study directly compares vaccinated men with unvaccinated ones, providing stronger evidence that the vaccine can also protect men from cancer.
However, in many countries the vaccine is still offered primarily to girls. Scientists say including boys in vaccination programs would help reduce the spread of the virus, directly protect men, and accelerate the global decline in HPV-related cancers.
The researchers caution that cases of cancer in young men are still relatively rare and not all are related to HPV. They also emphasize that long-term studies are needed to fully understand the effect of the vaccine.
In the United Kingdom, since 2019, the vaccination program has been expanded to include boys aged 12–13, offering broader protection against HPV-related cancers.
Also, men who have sex with men up to the age of 45 can receive the vaccine for free at sexual health and HIV clinics.
Oral sex is considered a major risk factor for HPV-related throat cancer, particularly due to the transmission of high-risk types such as HPV-16. Although many people become infected, most clear the virus naturally, while a small proportion develop persistent infections that can lead to cancer over time. /GazetaExpress/
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