New Insights on HPV Vaccine Showing Benefits for Men

A vaccine that has long been associated with preventing cervical cancer in women is now proving to be beneficial for men as well.

Boys and young men who have received the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine are about half as likely to develop cancers related to the virus compared to those who haven’t been vaccinated, as highlighted by a large study published in JAMA Oncology.

This raises important questions for parents and young men. It’s essential to understand what HPV is, what kinds of cancers it can lead to, and why the HPV vaccine is significant for boys and young men. When should they get vaccinated? These considerations are crucial as parents weigh their options about the vaccine.

To shed some light on these questions, I spoke with Dr. Leana Wen, an emergency physician and adjunct associate professor at George Washington University. She also served as Baltimore’s health commissioner.

CNN: What is HPV, and how prevalent is it among boys and men?

Dr. Leana Wen:

HPV is a highly common virus passed through intimate skin-to-skin contact. Most sexually active individuals will encounter it at some point in their lives.

This applies to both genders. The National Cancer Institute indicates that nearly all sexually active people will be infected with HPV within months or a few years of becoming sexually active. About half of these infections involve high-risk HPV types that increase the likelihood of cancer. Although most infections resolve on their own, some can persist and lead to cellular changes that may result in cancer over time.

CNN: What types of cancers are linked to HPV?

Wen:

HPV is connected to various cancers in both men and women. While cervical cancer is often highlighted in women, HPV can also lead to cancers of the vagina and vulva. For men, it’s associated with cancers of the penis, anus, and head and neck.

In fact, over 90% of anal cancer cases are linked to HPV. Oropharyngeal cancer, commonly referred to as throat cancer, is also significantly associated with HPV, accounting for about 70% of cases. Additionally, more than 60% of penile cancer cases are attributed to HPV.

CNN: What did this new study find regarding HPV vaccination in boys and young men?

Wen:

The study analyzed a global database involving over 615,000 males aged 9 to 26 who received the nonavalent HPV vaccine, compared to more than 2 million who did not. After making the groups comparable, researchers focused on about half a million individuals in each group.

Men who were vaccinated exhibited a considerably lower risk of developing HPV-related cancers. Overall, vaccination was linked to a roughly 46% reduction in risk, meaning that vaccinated individuals faced about half the risk when compared to those who were unvaccinated.

This benefit was consistent across the various groups analyzed. Those who got vaccinated between the ages of 9 and 14 had about a 42% lower risk, while those vaccinated between 15 and 26 had around a 50% reduced risk.

CNN: Why has the HPV vaccination historically been focused more on girls and women?

Wen:

The initial emphasis on the HPV vaccine stemmed from its clear connection to cervical cancer, which is a significant global health concern. The World Health Organization states that cervical cancer ranks as the fourth most common cancer among women worldwide, with over 660,000 new cases and around 350,000 deaths reported in 2022.

Initially, public health campaigns prioritized preventing this specific cancer, leading vaccination efforts to first target girls. As more evidence surfaced regarding HPV’s impact on men, recommendations have broadened to include boys. However, public perception has been slow to catch up, and many still associate this vaccine mainly with females.

CNN: At what age should boys receive the HPV vaccine?

Wen:

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that preteens receive routine vaccinations at 11 or 12 years old, although vaccination can begin as early as age 9. The HPV vaccine can even be administered alongside other vaccines.

The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests slightly different guidance by recommending routine HPV vaccination for all adolescents starting between 9 and 12 years old, stressing the goal of vaccinating before any HPV exposure occurs. They argue there’s no downside to starting vaccinations early, as the immune response is strong in younger individuals, and significant waning of protection hasn’t been observed.

CNN: Is there still a benefit if vaccination occurs later, during the teenage or young adult years?

Wen:

Absolutely, and this is so important to understand. While earlier vaccination is ideal, studies indicate that those who receive the vaccine later still gain considerable benefits. That’s because the vaccination protects against multiple strains of HPV, and it’s possible individuals may not have been exposed to all of them previously. Catch-up vaccination remains valuable.

CNN: What are the recommendations for kids who might have missed their HPV vaccine?

Wen:

For those who didn’t get vaccinated on schedule, catch-up vaccinations are recommended up until age 26.

For those aged 27 to 45 who are either not vaccinated or not fully vaccinated, the CDC advises shared clinical decision-making. The vaccine is licensed for these age groups, allowing patients to choose to receive it at this stage in consultation with their healthcare provider.

CNN: What would you say to parents who are uncertain about getting their kids the HPV vaccine?

Wen:

I would stress that this vaccine is fundamentally about cancer prevention. It guards against infections that can escalate into serious diseases many years later.

We now have robust evidence that shows it helps everyone. The vaccine has a strong safety profile, and it’s highly effective in preventing HPV-related issues. As a mother of two, I see vaccination as an opportunity to lessen the risk of serious health problems for our children in the future.