Understanding the common threat
DID you know that you could be carrying a sexually transmitted infection and passing it without knowing?
The human papillomavirus ( HPV) is the most common infection of the reproductive tract and will affect many sexually active people – both men and women – at least once in their lifetimes.
Transmitted through intimate skin- to- skin contact ( sexual intercourse, oral sex and anal sex) and contact of the mucous membrane ( the lining on the inside of the body), the majority of HPV infections do not show any symptoms, signs or disease and may disappear on their own.
But persistent infection can cause not only cervical cancer among women ( nearly all cervical cancer cases are linked to HPV) but also genital warts, unusual growths, lumps, sores and other forms of cancer around the areas of the head, throat, neck, anus and genitals of both men and women.
Current knowledge
Preventive measures against HPV are exceptionally important as current medications only treat the health problems caused by the virus and not the virus itself.
Furthermore, researchers have yet to discover a way to test men for the virus and detect early cancer cells. With no symptoms, men may carry the virus in the genitals unknowingly, spreading the virus and developing the symptoms later on in life.
Globally, there is limited knowledge regarding HPV infections and vaccination among the male population and many are unaware that they are vulnerable to the related cancers, specifically anal, penile and oropharyngeal ( areas related to the mouth such as throat, tongue and tonsils) cancers.
This is largely due to the fact that vaccines Cervarix, Gerdasil and Gerdasil 9 are marketed as cervical cancer vaccines and even medical practitioners are providing consultation and education focused only at women.
Though the World Health Organization identified education about HPV- related diseases as a public health priority, it only recommends national immunisation programmes for girls and women.
In Malaysia, recognising that vaccination reduces the risk of cervical cancer ( the third most common cancer among Malaysian women) and genital warts by 70% and 90% respectively, a national HPV vaccination programme is offered to 13- year- old girls for free.
The National Population and Family Development Board has a catch- up programme for those aged 18 who have not been vaccinated, available at all government clinics around the country.
How it affects men
The risk factors that could cause men to develop HPV- related cancers include persistent HPV infection, the number of sexual partners a person has, smoking, sexual activity with other men and a weakened immune system due to medication.
The effects of being infected with HPV may also cause men anxiety, embarrassment and longterm psychological, sexual and relationship problems.
In addition to protecting oneself, men are encouraged to get vaccinated to eliminate the possibility of spreading the virus to their future partners as there are still many men and women who have not received the HPV vaccination.
A study published in the Cancer journal by the American Cancer Society four months ago concluded that vaccinating 12- year- old boys is a cost- effective strategy for preventing throat cancer later on in life, a disease affecting men between 40 and 60 years of age and found to be roughly four times more common among men compared to women.
As the practice of vaccinating 12- year- old boys is not common in Malaysia, it is generally recommended that males receive a catch- up vaccine by the age of 21 while those with compromised immune systems be vaccinated until the age of 26.
The HPV vaccines are given in three separate doses over a period of six months; each dose costs approximately RM300 at many medical institutions.
The spread of HPV will remain a constant threat if only half of the population is educated about it.
This is why the Health Ministry needs to work hand- in- hand with medical practitioners to create greater awareness of this health risk among the male population.