In females, the HPV virus is linked to the development of cervical, vaginal, and vulvar cancers. In males, HPV is associated with cancer of the penis. In both sexes, HPV can lead to throat cancer, as well as anal and anal canal cancer.

The HPV vaccine can prevent more than 90% of vaginal, cervical, and vulvar “pre-cancers,” involving abnormal cells that indicate a higher risk of cancer later on.

The authors of the new research compared about 1.7 million individuals who had been HPV-vaccinated with another similarly sized and age-matched group who had not been vaccinated.

The researchers found there were 3.4 cases of HPV-related cancer per 100,000 vaccinated males, while there were more than double that amount, 7.5 cases per the same number of unvaccinated males.

For females, the difference was also significant: There were 11.5 cases of HPV-related cancer per 100,000 vaccinated females, and 15.8 cases per 100,000 unvaccinated females.

Rachel Goldberg, LMFT, a therapist in Los Angeles, CA, not involved in the study, has counseled families about HPV vaccines.

“For decades, women have been told about the importance of Pap smears to catch any early signs,” she told MNT.

“Most women know of at least one person [who] had to go through a minor procedure to remove abnormal cells thought to be HPV-related. It’s often a woman in her 20s or 30s,” Goldberg said.

The CDC recommends children receive two doses of HPV vaccine starting at ages 11 to 12, although the two inoculations can begin as early as nine years of age.

For children who do not receive their first HPV vaccination before they are 15, three inoculations, not two, are required for optimal protection.

“It’s important to note that HPV vaccination prevents new HPV infections but does not treat existing HPV infections or diseases. The vaccine works best when given before any exposure to HPV,” Ganjian said.

Goldberg noted that some parents may choose to delay vaccinating their children against HPV, perhaps because they are not yet sexually active.

“Over time, parents may believe it’s too late, their child ages out of being under their care, or they assume it won’t affect their child because of his [or her] level of responsibility, not understanding how easily HPV spreads,” Goldberg explained.

“The value of the HPV vaccine for males is known among physicians, but awareness and vaccine uptake among men have been low,” Ganjian said.

Other misconceptions may contribute to stigma around HPV for young males, Goldberg noted.

“It is still primarily viewed as a protective measure for girls, with some parents holding the belief that vaccinating their sons is only to protect their potential future female partners,” Goldberg said.

CDC statistics indicate that demographics may determine whether a child is vaccinated against HPV in the U.S.

For example, vaccination rates increase as children age and are more likely in families with higher socioeconomic status. In addition, children with disabilities are more likely to receive vaccinations than children without disabilities.

In 2022, 41.5% of children vaccinated were from families with private health insurance. Children covered only by Medicaid represented 37% of vaccinations. Those with other government-funded insurance comprised 30.2%, while children with no insurance at all were 20.7% of those vaccinated.

Vaccination is less likely among Hispanic children compared to white children. Additionally, children living outside metropolitan areas are less likely to receive the HPV vaccine.