The Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine has been introduced since 2006 in the US. Since then, reports from countries such as US, Australia and Sweden, have shown a reduction in their annual cervical cancer incidences. In Malaysia, public health programs help prevent cervical cancer through free Pap smear screenings, educational programs via campaigns and advertisements, and free HPV vaccination to 13-year-old girls. Nevertheless, with the ever-increasing anti-vaccine movement worldwide, continuous effort is necessary to overcome misconceptions about HPV infections and HPV vaccine as primary prevention, apart from Pap smear screenings. HPV types -16 and -18 are the major etiological factor to cause cervical cancer in women. According to the Malaysia National Cancer Registry Report (MNCRR) 2012-2016, cervical cancer is the 3rd highest cancer among women. However, HPV infections can affect both men and women. Here are THREE common myths with regards to HPV.
Myth 1: ONLY women can get HPV
Fact: BOTH men and women can get HPV
HPV is the most common sexually-transmitted disease in both genders. HPV infects about 80% of people at some point in their lives. There are about 40 HPV genotypes known to infect the anogenital tract. Lifestyle factors that increase your risk of getting HPV infection include sexual intercourse at early age (<20 years old) and having multiple sex partners. HPV can cause cervical cancer in women, penile cancer in men, and anal cancer in both women and men.
Myth 2: HPV infection-related diseases affects only women
Fact: HPV infection-related diseases affect both men and women
HPV infection typically goes away on its own. However, under some circumstances (based largely on risk factors and some reasons still unknown), the virus may choose to remain in the body. When it does, the virus can lead to many types of anogenital tract and oral cavity cancers; for example cervical cancer, anal cancer, penile cancer, vaginal cancer and oropharyngeal (tonsils and base of tongue) cancer. Alarmingly, the incidence of anogenital cancer is reported to be higher in men than women. We also see an increasing trend in oropharyngeal cancers due to HPV infection. Currently, oropharyngeal cancer has overtaken cervical cancer as the most common HPV-related malignancy in the US.
Myth 3: HPV vaccine is given only to females
Fact: HPV vaccine can be given to both males and females
In Malaysia, the HPV vaccine is given to 13-year-old girls through the National Immunization Program. Unfortunately, the benefit of the HPV vaccine in boys has been downplayed as the initial focus and marketing of the HPV vaccine targets prevention of cervical cancer among women only. In Australia and England, the HPV vaccine is also given to boys as well. Considering the impact of HPV infection to both genders, it is important to encourage boys to get the HPV vaccination too.
HPV-related diseases are preventable. Currently, HPV vaccination programs worldwide are female-biased. Although they have successfully reduced the incidence of cervical cancer, it is important to spread awareness that HPV infections and HPV-related cancers affect both men and women.
Written by:
Dr Nuruliza Roslan
Cancer Biology Researcher
Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, USIM
Deputy Director, Islamic Science Institute, USIM
Associate Prof. Ts Dr Eddy Hasrul Hassan
Immunovirology Researcher
Deputy Dean (Research & Innovation)
Faculty of Dentistry, UiTM
References:
- Mix JM, Van Dyne EA, Saraiya M, Hallowell BD, Thomas CC. Assessing impact of HPV vaccination on cervical cancer incidence in women 15–29 years in the United States, 1999–2017: An ecologic study.external icon Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention 2020.
- Lei et al. 2020. HPV Vaccination and the Risk of Invasive Cervical Cancer. N Engl J Med;383:1340-8. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa1917338
- Ministry Of Health, Malaysia. 2021. Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccination-An Update
- https://www.moh.gov.my/index.php/database_stores/store_view_page/30/372
- Wong et al. 2019. Are Boys Ready for Human Papillomavirus Vaccine? A National Study of Boys in Malaysia.Sexually Transmitted Diseases; 46(9):617-624. doi: 10.1097/OLQ.0000000000001024
- Bruni et al. 2019. Human Papillomavirus and Related Diseases in Malaysia. Summary Report 17 June 2019. ICO/IARC Information Centre on HPV and Cancer (HPV Information Centre). https://hpvcentre.net/statistics/reports/MYS.pdf
- Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Factsheets by CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention):
- https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/hpv
- https://www.cdc.gov/std/hpv
- https://www.cdc.gov/hpv
- Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Factsheets by World Health Organization (WHO)
- https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/human-papillomavirus-(hpv)-and-cervical-cancer