Boys Should Also Get HPV Vaccination To Protect Themselves From Oral, Genital Cancers

The human papillomavirus (HPV), which have been known to cause cervical cancer in women, is also the culprit for many cancer cases in men. Experts suggest that men should also have themselves vaccinated against HPV to protect themselves from certain cancers. Health experts say that the virus mostly causes cancers of the tonsils or most commonly known as oropharyngeal cancers, which are found to be more common in men than women. HPV is also responsible for cancers of the anus, vulva, vagina, and penis.

The best way experts know to make sure these cancers are avoided is by getting HPV vaccine, which is available for free under Australia's National HPV Vaccination Program to boys and girls aged 12 and 13. Those over 14 can obtain the vaccine from their GP or local immunization provider, but they will need to pay for it.

According to newsroom.uts.edu.au, oral cancers, which mostly include those of the tonsils, mouth, and tongue, affect over 300,000 people worldwide each year. People living in Australia have one in about 49 risks of being diagnosed with head and neck cancer by the time they turn 85. This also includes oral cancers. Statistics showed that the risk is higher in men (one in 32) than women (one in 98). In 2016, about 769 men are estimated to die from head and neck cancers in Australia, compared to 247 women.

There is about 80 percent of people who are expected to get an infection from a virus in the HPV family at some point. Unfortunately, this usually happens without knowing since the infections are often asymptomatic (no symptoms). Medical Xpress reported that HPV infections can be transmitted through vaginal and oral sex, and even a simple kiss. At present, there are more than 170 known types of HPV which can infect the skin and live in the genital tract and on the lining of our mouths. When they inhabit on your skin, they turn into the common wart. HPV types: 6, 11, 13 and 32 are usually considered the "low risk" viral culprits responsible for the said infections.

However, when the virus decides to advance to the lining of the mouth, throat, respiratory tract and genitals, the infection it causes may lead to cancer. HPV types such as 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52 and 58 are often known to cause long-term "high risk" infections, which are also major risk factors for cervical cancer, cancer of the anus, genitals, and oropharyngeal cancers. The oropharynx is the middle part of the throat which includes the base of the tongue, tonsils, the soft palate and the walls of the pharynx.

A recent study revealed that HPV was detected in 91% of cervical and anal cancers, 75% of vaginal cancers, 69% of vulvar cancers, 63% of penile cancers and 70% of oropharyngeal cancers. Experts said that HPV is the root cause for mouth infections, and both men and women are equally susceptible to the virus. 

The HPV vaccine was first developed by Australian scientists in 2006 with the intention of protecting women against cervical cancer. The following year, Australia implemented a secondary high school HPV vaccination program for girls, which was then extended to include boys in 2013. Although the vaccine was originally intended to prevent cervical cancer and genital cancers, it was also found effective to prevent oropharyngeal cancer.  The two HPV vaccines available in Australia (Cervarix and Gardasil) are licensed for males aged nine to 26 and females aged nine to 45.

In Australia and the United States, infections with HPV types 6, 11, 18 and 16 have reduced by 87%. Although the impact of the vaccine in preventing mouth cancer can't yet be accurately assessed, the reduction in HPV- related infections worldwide due to the vaccine suggests a future decrease in all HPV-associated cancers.