Boys Need HPV Vaccination to Prevent Cancer, Experts Warn

Human Papillomavirus (HPV), a sexually transmitted virus, is most commonly known to cause cervical cancer and cancers affecting the vagina, vulva, anus and throat in women. However, experts are now warning that it can also cause a variety of cancers in men, too, some of which are on the rise and young teenage boys should also receive the HPV vaccination for adequate protection. The European Cancer Organisation noted in a LinkedIn post: "HPV affects everyone, regardless of gender. It can lead to cancers of the cervix, mouth and throat, anus and penis. This is why universal protection is so important. "Yet, vaccination rates for boys remain much lower than for girls in many countries, creating an avoidable gap in protection that places countless young people at risk for cancers later in life."According to Dr David Pfister, an oncologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre, New York, the HPV vaccine protects men from penile, neck and head cancer. He also noted that while a pap test detects early-stage cervical cancer in women, no such test exists for penile, anal, or head and neck cancers in men, which can worsen their survival rate. Dr Pfister explained: "Developing something like a pap test for throat cancer would be a game-changer. When you compare the throat to the cervix, the anatomy of sites like the tonsils and the base of the tongue have hard-to-reach crevices the virus can hide in. "Until an effective and reliable screening test is developed, patients should stay up to date on their HPV vaccines, know how the disease is acquired, and take any suspicious symptoms like a lump in the neck or blood in the phlegm to their doctor or dentist."How Does HPV Spread And Is It Life-Threatening?HPV is primarily spread through skin-to-skin contact during sexual activity. While many HPV infections clear on their own, high-risk types of HPV can become life-threatening if they persist and lead to cancers, especially when detected late. Regular screenings such as pap tests and vaccinations against high-risk types are crucial for prevention.When Should You Get The HPV Vaccination?The HPV vaccine is approved and recommended for:Girls aged nine to 45 yearsBoys aged nine to 26 yearsFor children aged nine to 14, two doses of the vaccine are generally sufficient, administered several months apart. However, individuals aged 15 and above require three doses for full protection. Even if the vaccine is missed at age 9, catch-up vaccinations are available up to age 26, and in some cases beyond, depending on medical advice.The age limit for getting vaccinated is based on the assumption that most people have had sex and may have potentially been exposed to multiple strains of HPV by adulthood. If you’ve already been exposed to the virus, the vaccine will not be of benefit. The HPV vaccine does not require a booster shot, according to the Cleaveland Clinic.Are HPV-Caused Cancers On The Rise In India?Yes, according to Apollo Diagnostics, about 365.71 million women over age 15 live in India and are at risk of developing cervical cancer. Moreover, over 130,000 Indian women are diagnosed with cervical cancer cases annually and nearly 75,000 die of the disease.Recently, doctors have also observed a rise in HPV-linked neck and head cancers in young Indians, in their 20s and 30s. Studies have also shown a high incidence of HPV-associated cancers among men. About 25,000 HPV-associated cancer cases among men were reported in 2025.Another study conducted in two Indian cities among 300 HIV-positive men who have sex with men found an anal HPV prevalence of 95 percent.

Boys Need HPV Vaccination to Prevent Cancer, Experts Warn

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Boys Need HPV Vaccination to Prevent Cancer, Experts Warn

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