HPV, or human papilloma virus, which is passed on through sexual activity, is very common – 90% of people will have it at some point in their lives but, for most people, it will have not any symptoms and the immune system will effectively eliminate it. In males, it can cause genital warts, cancer in the anus or penis, or throat cancer.
For males, the recommendation is that they receive the HPV vaccine, which prevents HPV infection, starting at ages 11 or 12 years, up to 26 years. Unfortunately, more females than males are vaccinated – 2 females for every 1 male. Again, in males, the most common cancer that’s caused by HPV is throat cancer – 80% of cases occur in males, and the incidence of throat cancer now exceeds that of cervical cancer, which is also caused by HPV.
Females exposed to HPV are also more likely than males to develop natural antibodies to it.
It’s clear from what we know that young males, therefore, are at elevated risk for acquiring HPV. We also know that many parents and young males themselves do not know that they should be vaccinated. This needs to change.
The following videos explore some of the issues that relate to young males and the HPV vaccine. You can also view them on the Partnership's YouTube channel.
For males, the recommendation is that they receive the HPV vaccine, which prevents HPV infection, starting at ages 11 or 12 years, up to 26 years. Unfortunately, more females than males are vaccinated – 2 females for every 1 male. Again, in males, the most common cancer that’s caused by HPV is throat cancer – 80% of cases occur in males, and the incidence of throat cancer now exceeds that of cervical cancer, which is also caused by HPV.
Females exposed to HPV are also more likely than males to develop natural antibodies to it.
It’s clear from what we know that young males, therefore, are at elevated risk for acquiring HPV. We also know that many parents and young males themselves do not know that they should be vaccinated. This needs to change.
The following videos explore some of the issues that relate to young males and the HPV vaccine. You can also view them on the Partnership's YouTube channel.
