Why do we keep banging on about how you should get your boy the HPV vaccine? Despite the common assumption, this ‘cervical cancer jab’ does way more than what it says on the tin. Yes, its crowning glory lies in slashing cervical cancer cases, but why are doctors urging more boys to get the shot? Let’s find out what’s up and crush some misconceptions along the way.
1. Protection against penile, anal and head and neck cancer.
Scientists have known for a while now just how potent the HPV vaccine is at protecting against HPV-16 and 18. Most of us recognize these strains as the main cancer-causing agents of cervical cancer. Contrary to popular belief, this virus gets busy beyond the uterine walls.
Research shows that HPV-16 and 18 cause a staggering 31% of penile cancers. 1 What’s more, scientists have linked 9 in 10 cases of anal cancer to HPV infection, with strains 16 and 18 cropping up again as the leading culprits. 2 Following this trend, you shouldn’t be surprised to hear that HPV infection can also track to head and neck cancer. 3 What do all these cancers have in common? They’re all caused by the same HPV strains, which just so happen to have a vaccine to protect against them!
2. The sooner you get your boy the HPV vaccine, the better it works.
As the title suggests, the best time to get your son the vaccine is ‘yesterday’. However, this isn’t just a comical turn of phrase; the research really does show this vaccine is most effective if you get it early!
As for immune responses, the vaccine offers the most protection when administered before the age of 13. Researchers confirmed this longitudinally by following children who received the jab into their adulthood. As expected, the study found that those who received the shot in later adolescence had a higher risk of HPV-related cancers than those who took up the jab between ages 11 and 13. 6
Canadian school-based vaccination programs have followed suit, routinely offering the shot from Grade 4 up to 7.7 The window is short, so parents are encouraged to act fast.
Studies show that protection begins to dwindle from age 15 onwards, so don’t wait to vaccinate! 8
3. Not all Sexual Activity is Consensual
HPV is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections, with most people becoming infected at some point in their lives. 4 Despite the vague warning that your son will ‘probably pick it up’ sometime in the distant future, this isn’t something you can put off and ‘get around to later’.
Sex and relationships may not be on the cards for your son anytime soon, but that doesn’t necessarily mean he won’t be exposed to the virus. Sadly, children don’t always get a say in the matter. According to US research, one in six boys will experience unwanted sexual contact before the age of 18.11
Research shows that HPV is detected more frequently in abused children than among those without evidence of child sexual abuse. Plus, the same study also pointed out that participants aged 10 years or older had a higher prevalence of HPV. 5
Though no parent wants to think of this upsetting possibility, we owe it to our children to be proactive in our protection.
4. It’s got a reputation for safety
Thankfully, parents can rest assured that the HPV shot is one of the safest vaccines around. Research is unanimous on the jab’s safety profile, boasting another reason why this routine shot should be at the top of your to-do list.
A group of Californian scientists tested the safety of the 9-valent HPV vaccine, Gardasil, administered to schoolboys nine years and up. Of the 215,965 boys and girls who got the HPV jab, none of them had a serious adverse reaction. Along with HPV 16 and 18, the shot offers defence against strains 6, 11, 31, 33, 45 and 52, maximising protection! 9
The results added to the mountain of reassuring evidence that supports HPV vaccine safety. Side effects are rare and mild. The worst of the symptoms usually included headache, tiredness and swelling or pain at the site of injection. 10
Rumours have circulated for years regarding the safety of the HPV Vax, yet none of them have been proven true.
Some parents find it difficult to accept the idea that their child is getting closer to adulthood. Perhaps spreading misinformation, about the HPV jab in an attempt to justify skipping it, is a way to keep their kid ‘young’?
Unfortunately, other people’s children can get caught in the crossfire.
5. Protect your son’s future family
Because of how easily transmittable HPV is, your son’s future partner also deserves some food for thought. Whether they are male or female, HPV infection does not discriminate.
As we’ve discussed, HPV infection can cause anorectal and head and neck cancer in both men and women, with men also susceptible to penile cancer.1-3 For women, infection can mean vaginal, vulvar or cervical cancer. 10 Both partners have a role to play in keeping each other safe.
You can’t turn back time and get them the jab yesterday, but you sure can today!
References
- Wiener JS, Effert PJ, Humphrey PA, Yu L, Liu ET, Walther PJ. Prevalence of human papillomavirus types 16 and 18 in squamous‐cell carcinoma of the penis: A retrospective analysis of primary and metastatic lesions by differential polymerase chain reaction. International Journal of Cancer. 1992;50(5):694–701. doi:10.1002/ijc.2910500505
- Anal dysplasia: what you should know. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/patient-education/anal-dysplasia
- Sabatini ME, Chiocca S. Human papillomavirus as a driver of head and neck cancers. British Journal of Cancer. 2019;122 (3):306–314. doi:10.1038/s41416-019-0602-7
- World Health Organization: WHO, World Health Organization: WHO. Human papillomavirus and cancer. Published March 5, 2024. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/human-papilloma-virus-and-cancer
- Unger ER, Fajman NN, Maloney EM, et al. Anogenital human papillomavirus in sexually abused and nonabused children: a multicenter study. PEDIATRICS. 2011;128 (3): e658-e665. doi:10.1542/peds.2010-2247
- Palmer TJ, Kavanagh K, Cuschieri K, et al. Invasive cervical cancer incidence following bivalent human papillomavirus vaccination: a population-based observational study of age at immunization, dose, and deprivation. JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute. Published online January 22, 2024. doi:10.1093/jnci/djad263
- Access to HPV immunization – Canadian Partnership Against Cancer. Canadian Partnership Against Cancer. Published November 23, 2023. https://www.partnershipagainstcancer.ca/topics/hpv-immunization-policies/access-hpv-immunization/
- Blackburn KB. HPV vaccine: Is it too late? MD Anderson Cancer Center. Published October 30, 2019. https://www.mdanderson.org/publications/focused-on-health/focused-on-health-june-2018/hpv-vaccine–when-is-it-too-late-.html
- Hansen J, Yee A, Lewis N, et al. Safety of 9-valent human papillomavirus vaccine administered to males and females in routine use. Vaccine. 2022;41(11):1819–1825. doi:10.1016/j.vaccine.2022.11.009
- HPV vaccine. nhs.uk. Published September 18, 2024. https://www.nhs.uk/vaccinations/hpv-vaccine/
- Dube SR, Anda RF, Whitfield CL, et al. Long-term consequences of childhood sexual abuse by gender of victim. Am J Prev Med. 2005;28(5):430–438. doi:10.1016/j.amepre.2005.01.015
