A new study highlights that men face a lifelong risk of contracting high-risk oral human papillomavirus (HPV) strains, which can lead to cancers in the throat and mouth. Conducted by researchers from the US, Brazil, and Mexico, the study suggests that broadening HPV vaccination efforts, particularly for men, could help prevent the rise in HPV-associated oropharyngeal cancers.
The study analyzed data from 3,137 men, aged 18 to 70, and found no decrease in susceptibility to HPV infections with age, suggesting that risk remains constant throughout life. HPV strains, especially HPV-16 and HPV-18, are associated with up to 90% of HPV-related oral cancers. While vaccination rates for young women have risen, young men receive the vaccine at much lower rates, contributing to a rise in oropharyngeal cancers even as cervical cancer rates decrease.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) currently recommends HPV vaccination for all individuals up to age 26. However, the study findings challenge the CDC’s view that vaccination has limited benefits for older adults. The research revealed nearly 20% of participants had an oral HPV infection at the start of the study, with about 6% infected by cancer-causing strains.
“This study underscores the importance of continued vigilance against oral HPV infections,” said epidemiologist Anna Giuliano, from the Moffitt Cancer Center in Florida. Given the constant rate of HPV infections across age groups, the authors advocate for tailored vaccination strategies to reduce the risk of HPV-related cancers.
Oral HPV transmission can occur through various forms of contact beyond sexual activity, adding further complexity to the prevention efforts. The study’s results underscore the need for comprehensive public health strategies to combat oral HPV infections and the growing risk of HPV-associated cancers among men.
Read Now:Trump Takes Aim at Kamala Harris Promises Border Security and Economic Reforms Ahead of Election
Reference: https://www.sciencealert.com/cancer-threat-from-oral-hpv-is-a-lifelong-risk-but-can-be-prevented
