Researchers have found that almost a third (31 percent) of all men worldwide are infected with the cancer-causing Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). The authors write in the summary of the publication that the spread of HPV in women is well documented study, which will be published in The Lancet magazine in September. The scientists detected the most carcinogenic variant HPV16.
The infection rate is particularly high in men aged 25 to 29, after which the curve stabilizes or falls slightly. Nevertheless, sexually active men, regardless of age, are “an important reservoir for HPV infections in the genital area,” according to the study. The infection rate is the same for men in Europe, North America, Latin America, the Caribbean, sub-Saharan Africa, New Zealand and Australia. In East and Southeast Asia, on the other hand, according to the surveys, the rate is only half as high.
Since 2018, Stiko has also recommended HPV vaccination for boys
In Germany, underage girls in particular have been vaccinated against the most aggressive HP viruses for decades. Since 2018, Stiko has recommended vaccinating boys against HPV as well. Even though women are responsible for four out of five cancers caused by HPV, men can also develop HPV-induced cancer. They then develop tumors in the anal area, on the penis or in the head and neck area.
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However, not all HP viruses cause cancer and, above all, not all HP infections lead to cancer. The WHO classifies twelve of around 200 HPV types as definitely carcinogenic. Other HPV types cause so-called genital warts in the genital area. According to the German Cancer Research Center, most HPV infections go away on their own without causing cancer or warts. And almost everyone is infected with HPV at some point in their lives.
Nevertheless, according to the Center for Cancer Registry Data, two percent of all cancers are due to HPV. According to the general state of research, women are particularly susceptible because their cervical mucosa offers a lot of contact points. The study underlines how important it is to vaccinate men against HPV in order to contain the virus in both sexes, the authors of the study conclude.