For a long time, HPV vaccination campaigns in France focused only on girls. However, a new study published Aug. 16, 2023 by the journal The Lancet calculates that 31% of men over the age of 15 carry one form of HPV (there are nearly 200 different ones). Worse: one in five men (21%) would even be the carrier of a high-risk papillomavirus, that is likely to cause cancer.
Major study calls for more human papillomavirus vaccines
These results come from the compilation of 65 different studies, in 35 countries, from 1995 to 2022. As a result, HPV prevalence is highest in young adults aged 25-29 (35% of infections), but it already starts very early strong between 15 and 19 years old (28% of them).
We are beginning to know well in France that these infections can occur from the very first sexual intercourse and that some forms of papillomavirus can lead, for example, to cervical cancer. Hence the fact that we have focused on vaccinating young girls. However, this affects all gender identities, including men who just can’t pass it on and remain asymptomatic (which could already be enough argument to vaccinate kids too…), but also develop anal or throat cancers themselvesFor example.
According to this meta-study, it is therefore important integrate men into comprehensive HPV prevention strategies to reduce HPV-related morbidity and mortality in men, and ultimately eliminate cervical cancer and other HPV-related diseases. »
Human papillomaviruses can also cause cancer in men
Currently, in France, 46% of girls are vaccinated with at least one dose compared to 6% of boys, according to 2021 data. However, a large vaccination campaign begins at the beginning of the school year in September 2023 in French colleges . Good news for Cécile Badoual, professor of pathology at the Georges Pompidou European Hospital in Paris, WHO expert, interviewed by Information about France August 18, 2023:
“It is essential that vaccination is non-gendered and strong in preventing the risk of cancer, injury in girls and boys. […] Generally, it is upon arrival in sexuality that there is papillomavirus contamination and what is important is that there is a significant carrier of papillomaviruses that risk transmitting tumors. This can be that of the cervix, vagina and vulva in women, but also cancer that can be found in women and men that can be located in the anus, but also of what is called the oropharynx, i.e. in the part back of the throat, the tonsils. »
The best time to resort to vaccination therefore remains before entering into sexuality, continues the expert Cécile Badoual when Information about France he asks the question:
“Before encountering the papillomavirus, before entering into sexuality. For this we recommend a two-dose vaccination for young people aged 11 to 14, whether they are girls or boys, or a catch-up up to 16 years. For men who have sex with men, who have a slightly higher risk of getting anal cancer, we will offer the catch-up vaccination until the age of 26. »
Finally, according to Cécile Badoual, today in France against the papillomavirus, ” with the vaccination of boys and young people, we are far behind. »
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Source: Madmoizelle
Mary Crossley is an author at “The Fashion Vibes”. She is a seasoned journalist who is dedicated to delivering the latest news to her readers. With a keen sense of what’s important, Mary covers a wide range of topics, from politics to lifestyle and everything in between.
