A recent study shows that vaccinating males against the human papillomavirus (HPV) may significantly reduce their risk of developing cancer, a step scientists see as important for promoting prevention in men.
A study published in JAMA Oncology, which analyzed the health records of more than three million young men, revealed that males who received the latest version of the vaccine were less likely to develop cancers linked to the virus, such as cancers of the head, neck, and penis. The results showed a reduction in the risk of these cancers of up to 46% among vaccinated individuals compared to unvaccinated individuals.
The study also showed that the infection rate decreased from about 12.5 cases per 100,000 among the unvaccinated to 7.8 cases per 100,000 among those who received the vaccine, a protective effect observed in both adolescents and young adults.
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is one of the most common viruses and is transmitted through direct skin-to-skin contact. While most infections are harmless and clear up on their own, some high-risk strains can lead to serious illnesses, including cancers of the head and neck, anus and penis, and cervical cancer in women.
Until recently, most scientific evidence focused on the role of the vaccine in protecting women, particularly from cervical cancer, while studies on men focused more on reducing infection than on preventing cancer itself. However, this study was distinguished by its direct comparison between vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals, which strengthened its findings.
Despite this data, vaccination programs in many countries still primarily target girls. Scientists emphasize that expanding vaccination to include boys could curb the spread of the virus, provide direct protection for men, and contribute to reducing cancer rates globally.
Conversely, scientists warned that cancer cases among young people are still relatively rare, and that not all cancers included in the study were caused by the virus, stressing the importance of conducting long-term studies to understand the full impact of the vaccine.
Experts also point out that certain practices, such as oral sex, may increase the risk of oropharyngeal cancer associated with high-risk strains of the virus. While most infected individuals clear the infection spontaneously, a small percentage may develop a chronic infection that can lead to cancer over time.
Thus, these results confirm that the human papillomavirus vaccine is not only for the protection of women, but also an important tool for cancer prevention in men.
