HPV Vaccine Cuts Cancer Risk in Men by Nearly Half, Major Study Finds

A vaccine long framed as primary protection against cervical cancer in women is now showing undeniable, life-saving benefits for men. According to a large-scale study published this month in JAMA Oncology, boys and young men who received the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine had roughly half the risk of developing related cancers compared to those who remained unvaccinated.

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The study utilized a global database of more than 615,000 males between the ages of 9 and 26 who received the nonavalent (nine-strain) HPV vaccine, comparing them against a control group of over 2 million unvaccinated individuals. The results were striking: vaccinated males saw an overall 46% reduction in the risk of developing HPV-related malignancies. The protective benefit was consistent across age groups, with those vaccinated between ages 15 and 26 showing a 50% reduction in risk.

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"This is about preventing cancer. It protects against infections that can lead to serious disease many years later," said CNN wellness expert Dr. Leana Wen. While cervical cancer remains a significant global health issue for women, HPV is also a major driver of several aggressive cancers in men. According to the National Cancer Institute, over 90% of anal cancers and approximately 70% of oropharyngeal (throat) cancers are caused by HPV. Additionally, more than 60% of penile cancers are linked to the virus.

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Unlike cervical cancer, which can be detected early through routine Pap tests, there are currently no standard screening tests for the HPV-related throat or penile cancers that affect men. This makes primary prevention through vaccination even more critical. Because the virus is extremely common and transmitted through intimate skin-to-skin contact, most sexually active people are exposed within months to a few years of starting sexual activity.

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The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) currently recommends routine vaccination for preteens at age 11 or 12, though the series can be started as early as age 9. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) further emphasizes starting between ages 9 and 12 to ensure children are fully protected before any potential exposure to the virus. Dr. Wen noted that the immune response is particularly strong at younger ages, and there is no known downside to starting the series early.

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For those who missed the initial window, the CDC recommends catch-up vaccinations through age 26. For adults aged 27 to 45, the vaccine is still licensed and may be administered following a discussion with a healthcare provider. As public perception begins to catch up with the science, health officials are urging parents to view the HPV shot not as a "lifestyle" vaccine, but as a standard part of cancer prevention for all children, regardless of gender.

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