Genital HPV infection affects 45 percent of the U.S. men population who are under the age of 60. Roughly 35 million men are affected with the disease according to research. The results of the study also revealed that about 25 percent of men are infected with high-risk types of human papillomavirus which are strongly lined with cancer as compared to low-risk types of HPV. Only 11 percent of U.S. men received HPV vaccine.
Researchers found that a high rate of HPV infection in older men. The highest rate of HPV infection according to the study was seen among ages 58 to 59. This result is in contrast with what was seen in women. Older women have lower infection rate as compared to young women. The researchers hope that the findings of the study will increase public awareness of the current low vaccination rate.
According to Dr. Jasmine Han, chief of the gynecologic oncology at the Womack Army Medical Center at Fort Bragg, HPV associated cancers in men are increasing. There is a very effective vaccine that could eradicate HPV-associated cancers in both men and women but the prevalence remains high despite the availability of the vaccines.
HPV are a group of more than 150 related viruses that infect different parts of the body. Genital HPVs spread as sexually transmitted infections. In the past, preventing HPV were mainly focused on women because the infection can lead to cervical cancer. But in 2009 the focus included vaccination of men and it is now recommended for both males and females between the ages of 11 to 26 years of age according to a report by Live Science.
Dr. Tanguy Seiwert, head and neck cancer specialist at the University of Chicago said that the results show that doctors and parents need to step up efforts to vaccinate boys and young men. The fear of vaccination leads to risky sexual behavior must be overcome. According to Dr. Seiwert, HPV vaccine is as close as we can come to a cure for cancer according to an article by Associated Press.