It only makes sense that to eradicate a sexually-transmitted disease, both sexes need to be vaccinated prior to engaging in sexual activity, which would mean before puberty or early teens.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, has approved Gardasil for the treatment of human papillomavirus (HPV) in girls starting at age 9 to 26. In females, HPV can lead to cervical cancer and genital warts. The Gardasil vaccine has been approved in boys aged 9 to 26 for the prevention of anal cancer and genital warts.
Current studies are underway to examine the possibility that HPV is associated with the growing number of head and neck cancers, penile cancer and anal cancer in men.
Donna Cristy, R.N., M.S.N., F.N.P.-C., reports that men are sometimes infected with HIV and can unknowingly infect their sexual partners. HPV is passed through genital contact including vaginal, anal and oral sex. Cristy reports that casual, multiple sex partners has played a large role in spreading HPV a great deal.
The only surefire way of preventing infection with HPV is abstinence. Limiting the number of sexual partners can reduce the risk of infection, but is not a guarantee. Even condoms are not 100 percent foolproof since too much of the genital area is still exposed. In men, most HPV viruses are found near the scrotum, not on the penis.
Currently, there is no HPV test for men. Too often, males only become aware of their HPV status after a secondary problem develops.
The most common symptoms of HPV are genital warts—a raised, flat, cauliflower-like lesion that can occur on the penis, testicles, groin or thighs. Treatment involves freezing the wart and removing it. Most men, however, have no symptoms.
Gardasil is the only vaccine available that is approved for men age 9 to 26 for prevention of genital warts. New studies are now underway to determine if men will reap additional benefits of cancer protection.
Cristy reports that a standard immunization for boys is on the horizon. To prevent spreading HPV, she feels immunization should occur prior to a male’s first sexual encounter. According to the FDA, Gardasil has been proven to be safe.
HPV has been linked to several types of cancers in men.
Anal cancer warnings signs are:
- Bleeding, pain, itching and discharge from the anal area
- Swollen anal or groin lymph nodes
- Stool changes
Penile cancer warning signs:
- Change in penis color
- Skin thickening of the penis
- New mass of tissue on the penis
- A sore or growth on the penis
Head and neck cancer warning signs:
- Chronic sore throat
- Ear pain
- Chronic coughing
- Difficulty swallowing or breathing
- Weight loss
- Hoarse voice
- Mass or lump in the neck
Each year in the United States, 11,000 women are newly diagnosed with cervical cancer, and over 4,000 will die from it. Almost all cases of cervical cancer are the result of infection with human papillomavirus (HPV), which is transmitted through sexual contact.
Not all strains of HPV cause cervical cancer, as some cause genital warts, and some have no symptoms at all. In the case of cancerous strains, the virus causes cellular changes in the cells of the cervix which can lead to cancer.