HPV vaccines show promise in preventing cancer in both men and women

New research shows that the HPV vaccine helps prevent cancer in both men and women. However, fewer boys in the United States are getting vaccinated compared to girls. The study found that vaccinated men have fewer mouth and throat cancers than those who didn't get the vaccine. These types of cancers are more common in men than in women. Vaccinated women also had a lower risk of developing cervical cancer within five years of getting the vaccine. Men who received the vaccine had a reduced risk of developing any HPV-related cancer, such as cancers of the anus, penis, mouth, and throat. These cancers take years to develop, so the number of cases was lower in vaccinated men compared to unvaccinated men. HPV, or human papillomavirus, is a common virus spread through sex. Most HPV infections do not show symptoms and go away on their own. However, some infections can lead to cancer, causing about 37,000 cases per year in the United States. It is recommended for anyone up to age 26 who hasn't been vaccinated to get catch-up shots. A recent study looked at HPV vaccination rates among preteens and young adults. From 2011 to 2020, vaccination rates increased from 38% to 49% among females and from 8% to 36% among males. Although there has been a significant increase in vaccination rates among young males over the past decade, they still lag behind females in getting vaccinated.