New research suggests that the HPV vaccine is associated with a significant decrease in head and neck cancers among adolescent boys and men. HPV, responsible for various cancers, including cervical cancer, is linked to up to 70% of head and neck cancers, with men being at higher risk.
The study, presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology conference, analyzed health records of nearly 3.5 million individuals vaccinated between 2010 and 2023. It found that the HPV vaccine reduced the overall risk of HPV-related cancers in males by 54%, primarily due to a decline in head and neck cancers.
Despite lower vaccination rates among males, efforts have increased, narrowing the gap between genders. Experts emphasize the importance of ongoing conversations about HPV vaccination for cancer prevention, especially targeting all genders and age groups.