HPV In Men: What We All Need To Know | HuffPost Life

5 Things Men Need To Know About HPV

We're honoring Cervical Health Awareness Month by bringing you the latest information on human papillomavirus, the virus associated with cervical cancer -- and with several other types of cancer, including anal, penile and oropharyngeal cancer. HPV is also the virus underlying genital warts. Although much of the conversation about the virus relates to women's health -- cervical cancer is the most common HPV-related cancer by magnitudes -- there are many health concerns that uniquely or disproportionately affect men. These include genital warts and anal cancers. And since HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the world, it affects a massive percentage of the male population, as well.

Get informed -- read on for the latest findings about HPV among the male population:

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Before You Go

HPV Facts For Men

Vaccines Aren't Just For Girls(01 of05)

The vaccine Gardisil, which protects against four strains of HPV that account for most HPV-associated cancer and genital warts, is available to and recommended for boys. The American Academy of Pediatrics released a statement early last year in favor of the vaccine for boys before the start of sexual activity:

The vaccine is most effective if administered before the onset of sexual activity, and antibody responses to the vaccine are highest at ages 9 through 15 years. Immunization of children against HPV infection will help prevent cancers and genital warts caused by HPV.

(credit:Alamy)

Some Men Are More At Risk(02 of05)

Gay and bisexual men are 17 times more likely to develop HPV-associated anal cancer than men who have sex with women, according to the CDC. (credit:Alamy)

There Is No Common Test For HPV In Men(03 of05)

Most HPV screening happens during women's Pap smears in which the doctor scrapes some cells from the cervix to test for abnormalities. There is no clinically-available blood test for the virus and so the majority of carriers -- of both genders -- are unaware that they have the virus. (credit:shutterstock)

Half Of Men Carry The HPV Virus(04 of05)

One multi-country study found that 50 percent of men over age 15 have been infected with HPV. What's more, each year, about six percent of men will contract a new infection of the strain that is most associated with cervical cancer in women -- HPV 16. (credit:Alamy)

HPV-Associated Cancers Are On The Rise(05 of05)

Although the overall rates of cancer are declining, according to the latest research from the National Cancer Institute, HPV-associated cancers are on the rise. That was at first confounding to doctors who expected oral cancer rates to decline alongside smoking rates (another risk factor). In particular, HPV-positive oropharyngeal cancer now accounts for 70 percent of that cancer type. (credit:shutterstock)

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