HPV Vaccine Can Also Save Mens Life
Only One In Every Ten Men Have Knowledge Of HPV
A recent Danish survey with around 20,000 Danish men, reveals that only 1 in every 10 men aged 18 to 45 years, have heard of HPV – the virus which for men can cause penile and anal cancer and cervical cancer for women. Results implies, that men walks around thinking that the HPV virus has nothing to do with them. But men actually do have a great responsibility.
-They do, for the reason that HPV is a virus, primarily spread sexually. It is therefore particularly essential that men are aware, that they are carriers in relation to women and cervical cancer and that they can acquire for example, penile cancer, anal cancer and certain forms of cancer of the head and neck region, “says researcher Ann Nielsen from the Danish Cancer Fighting, who is the major author of the research.
The survey illustrates that a small amount of men have heard of about HPV, and this is regardless of whether they are 18 or 45 years.
-For women, studies demonstrate that older women are more aware of HPV rather than younger women. But this does not apply to men, says Ann Nielsen.
While there has been further consciousness of HPV and vaccines, Ann Nielsen does not think that it has reached the men yet.
-When we asked the men, there were an initial awareness of HPV. The first vaccine against cervical cancer was – at the time – just entering the Danish market, explains Ann Nielsen.
HPV is first and foremost sexually transmitted. These days all girls born in Denmark in 1996 or later are offered a free HPV vaccination as part of the general vaccination program. In addition, all girls born in 1993, 1994 and 1995 received the offer of free vaccination. So far Danish boys will not be offered free vaccination.
Ann Nielsen points out that there really is a huge need for information efforts towards men. – Not simply in relation to sexual life. We also have to do with a target audience – fathers with children who are offered vaccination. It is very essential that their information is high, when they should consider whether their daughter should be vaccinated, says Ann Nielsen.
Need for information American studies have also shown, that an increased focus on HPV means an increased knowledge. In the U.S., the number of anal cancer and head and neck cancer incidents has grown.
-We estimate that the same applies in Denmark. And we must not lose sight of the genital warts – something that many men and women suffer from. We estimate that around 10 percent of all men, at some time in their lives, become infected with genital warts.
Therefore, it is absolutely crucial to have knowledge and awareness out to the audience, says Ann Nielsen.
The study is published in European Journal of Cancer Prevention.
For further information on HPV transmission and what you can do to protect yourself, please visit our website: HPV transmission
