Researchers have found that the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine may reduce the risk of head and neck cancers in men by about 70%, indicating that the vaccine's benefits extend beyond preventing cervical cancer.
Researchers analyzed health data from approximately 1.4 million people in the United States, aged 9 to 45, including more than 700,000 who received the vaccine (originally intended for women). Forty cases of head and neck cancer were recorded among those vaccinated, compared to 130 cases among people of the same age group who were not vaccinated.
Human papillomavirus (HPV), which is primarily transmitted through sexual contact, is linked to several cancers, most notably cervical cancer and oropharyngeal cancer, which affects the throat and tonsils. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, HPV is associated with approximately 16,000 cases of oropharyngeal cancer annually, with men accounting for about 85% of these cases.
The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is the first vaccine specifically developed to prevent cancer by targeting the virus. It received FDA approval in 2006, and its use has been linked to a significant reduction in cervical cancer cases, reaching nearly 90% in some countries with high vaccination rates.
While the new study suggests potential protection for men against head and neck cancers, it does not directly prove that the vaccine prevents these cancers, as it was based on an observational study. Longer and more extensive research is needed to confirm the findings and determine the duration of the protection.
In the United States, vaccination against human papillomavirus (HPV) is recommended for young adults up to the age of 26. However, awareness of the link between the virus and cancer remains limited; a 2025 survey showed that more than a third of American adults knew nothing about the virus.
The new findings reinforce calls to expand vaccination to include both males and females, especially since the virus's impact is not limited to cervical cancer.
The study was published in the International Journal of Infectious Diseases.
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