HPV Risks for Men: Why Vaccination Programs Must Include Boys
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is often regarded as a women’s health issue, primarily due to its strong link to cervical cancer. However, HPV poses significant risks to men as well, with infections leading to cancers of the throat, anus, and penis, reduced fertility, and other serious health complications. Despite these dangers, men are frequently overlooked in HPV vaccination programs, especially in countries like South Africa, where only girls are targeted for immunisation.
A Silent Threat
The story of a 40-year-old South African man who walked into his doctor’s office with a concerning lump in his throat illustrates the silent nature of HPV infections in men. The man didn’t smoke, drank sparingly, and had no family history of cancer. What he did have was HPV—a virus he had never been tested for, warned about, or even knew could lead to cancer.
This scenario is not uncommon. HPV is one of the most widespread sexually transmitted infections globally, with most individuals exposed to it at some point in their lives. While the body often clears the virus within one to two years, persistent infections can lead to devastating health outcomes.
HPV’s Impact on Men
Globally, one in three men carries at least one genital HPV type, and one in five carries a cancer-causing strain. These infections can lead to cancers of the throat, anus, and penis—diseases that are often detected too late due to the lack of routine screening for men. In high-income countries like the United States, HPV-related throat cancers in men now exceed cervical cancer rates in women.
Men living with HIV face an even greater risk, as their weakened immune systems struggle to fight off HPV infections, making them more susceptible to recurring infections and cancers. Additionally, HPV can reduce fertility by damaging sperm, and emerging evidence suggests a link between the virus and prostate cancer, a disease projected to rise by 65% globally by 2040.
The Gap in Vaccination Programs
South Africa’s HPV vaccination strategy focuses on girls aged 9 to 14, aiming to curb cervical cancer rates. While this approach has been successful, it leaves boys unprotected. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends vaccinating girls as a priority, citing resource constraints. However, this strategy relies on herd immunity—vaccinating enough girls to indirectly protect boys—which has significant limitations.
Not everyone is vaccinated, viruses mutate, and immunity wanes over time. Excluding boys from vaccination programs not only misses an opportunity to prevent cancers but also raises questions about gender equity in healthcare.
Currently, South African boys can only access HPV vaccines through the private sector, where costs range from R1,102 to R2,365 per dose—a price tag that is often unaffordable for many families. This short-term cost-saving approach ignores the long-term economic and social burdens of treating preventable cancers and lost productivity.
The Way Forward
Several countries, including Cameroon and Mauritius, have adopted gender-neutral HPV vaccination programs, recognizing the importance of protecting both boys and girls. Research shows that vaccinating both genders can achieve the same level of population protection in eight years that would take 20 years if only girls are vaccinated.
South Africa’s commitment to universal healthcare through the National Health Insurance Act presents an opportunity to expand HPV vaccination to include boys. Studies from countries like China demonstrate that vaccinating males is not only effective but also cost-effective, potentially preventing hundreds of thousands of cancer cases.
Time to Act
HPV is not just a women’s issue; it’s a men’s health issue too—one that is often overlooked but potentially life-threatening. Expanding vaccination programs to include boys, increasing public awareness, and updating national and global policies are critical steps toward addressing this silent health crisis.
Ignoring men in HPV prevention is no longer an option. It’s time for South Africa and other nations to act decisively to protect everyone from this preventable disease.
— Reported by Nexio News
