Your Daily Vaccine Update
HPV vaccination is crucial for boys
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is of vital importance for boys and men. While often associated with cervical cancer in women, HPV is a widespread virus that can cause significant health issues in males as well.
Why HPV vaccination is important for boys:
Cancer Prevention: The HPV vaccine protects boys from several types of cancers caused by HPV. These include:
Anal cancer: A high percentage of anal cancers are linked to HPV infection.
Penile cancer: Certain HPV types are associated with penile cancer.
Oropharyngeal (head and neck) cancers: Cancers of the throat, tonsils, and base of the tongue are increasingly linked to HPV, and men account for a disproportionate number of these cases.
Prevention of Genital Warts: HPV is a leading cause of anogenital warts, which, while not cancerous, can be uncomfortable and distressing. The vaccine protects against the HPV types most commonly responsible for these warts.
Reducing Transmission and Achieving Herd Immunity: Vaccinating boys helps to reduce the overall circulation of HPV in the population. This not only protects vaccinated individuals but also contributes to "herd immunity," further safeguarding unvaccinated individuals, including girls and women.
No Routine Screening for Men: Unlike women, who have routine Pap tests for cervical cancer screening, there are currently no approved, routine screening tests for HPV-related cancers in men. This makes vaccination an even more critical preventive measure.
For more detailed information on the epidemiology and pathology of HPV disease in males, you can refer to:
Epidemiology and pathology of HPV disease in males, Giuliana A, Anic G, Nyitray A. Gynecol Oncol. 2010 Feb 6;117(2 0):S15–S19. doi: 10.1016/j.ygyno.2010.01.026
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4254924/
I used Google Gemini to draft this post. I edited the draft and verified the reference.
Vaccines are safe and effective and are perhaps our most powerful public health tool.
Richard Mahoney
Adjunct Professor
National School of Tropical Medicine
Baylor College of Medicine
