2023-09-08 08:00:46
Since 1is January 2021, vaccination once morest human papillomavirus (HPV) infections was extended in France to all boys, whereas it initially only concerned girls. Why such a decision ? Are HPV infections common in men? A study looked at the global prevalence of HPV infections among male subjects. Explanations.
HPV infections and cancers
Around 8 out of 10 people, both men and women, are exposed to at least one human papillomavirus (HPV) during their lifetime. Most often, the infection occurs at the beginning of sexual life and goes completely unnoticed. But some of these viruses cause cancer, particularly Cervical cancer but also anal cancer and other cancers.
The close link between HPV infections and cervical cancer has long led people to believe that these viruses mainly affect women. The majority of epidemiological studies have focused on female data and few on the male population. In a recent study, researchers compiled global and regional data on the prevalence of HPV infections in men between the 1is January 1995 and 1is June 2022. In total, they took into account the results of 65 studies involving 44,769 men in 35 countries.
One in 5 men carry HPV with a high oncogenic risk
The overall prevalence of HPV infections among men was 31% regardless of virus subtype. For HPV subtypes with a high oncogenic risk, the prevalence was 21%, or one in 5 men carrying at least one subtype with a high risk of cancer. The most common subtypes were:
- And HPV-16 (5 %) ;
- And HPV-6 (4 %).
Taking into account the age of the men, prevalence was highest in early adulthood, peaking between ages 25 and 29. The prevalence stabilized or decreased slightly therefollowing. As for the geographic component, the prevalence was similar in Europe, North America, sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean, Australia and New Zealand. On the other hand, it was divided in half for East and South-East Asia.
These data reveal that young men constitute a significant reservoir of genital HPV infections, because it must be remembered that HPV infections constitute a very common and very contagious sexually transmitted infection (STI). It is therefore logical and even decisive to include boys and young men in the vaccination strategy once morest these infections to reduce the risk of certain cancers.
Vaccinate girls and boys
In France, vaccination once morest these infections has been recommended for young girls since 2007, but only for boys since 2021. Vaccinating boys helps directly protect them from certain lesions (genital warts) and certain cancers (such as anal cancer, penile cancer or oral cancers), and indirectly protects women from cancer. of the cervix. In all, more than 6,400 cases of cancer are due to HPV infections each year in France.
The vaccine recommended since 1is January 2021 is the Gardasil9® vaccine, which protects once morest HPV subtypes 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52 and 58. Vaccination is recommended for girls and boys between 11 and 14 years old, with a two-dose schedule, spaced 6 months apart. A catch-up vaccination is possible up to the age of 19 inclusive, with three doses. Vaccination does not constitute an absolute defense once morest HPV-related cancers, but can significantly reduce the risk. For women, cervical cancer screening between the ages of 25 and 65 remains recommended.
Estelle B., Doctor of Pharmacy
Sources
– HUMAN PAPILLOMAVIRUS (HPV) INFECTIONS. vaccination-info-service.fr. Accessed August 21, 2023.
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