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by eek2121 3 hours ago
Just a note: the article focuses on the ladies, but men should absolutely get it as well because it cuts risk for other types of cancers. I was looking for a better link, however this is the only one I found (I had an older one saved, however I can't find it):

https://www.cnn.com/2026/04/24/health/hpv-men-vaccine-cancer...

2 comments

yes! Apparently the rate of penile and throat cancer occurs at only half the rate in men as it does as cervical cancer in women, but the harm caused by the male versions of the cancer are worse, so in actual fact it may overall cause more harm in the male population.
My bet is that it has to do with the mechanics of receptive vaginal and oral sex, the penis just reaches deeper and causes more lesions. Compared to insertive vaginal sex and oral vaginal performance, those lesions would be less frequent and on more distal parts of the body.

If the rate is 50%, I'd also expect MSM to be overrepresented there, which would make the difference of risk between heterosexual sex even more imbalanced.

For some reason not really talked about in mainstream medicine for straight men. It makes no sense. Very safe vaccine and you're eligible into your 40's to get it. Everyone sexually active probably has some strains but not all.
I was denied the vaccine by my healthcare provider as a man in my mid-20s. Their reasoning being that I was likely already exposed.

It may have been true, but would still have liked to get the vaccine since it covers many multiple strains.

the reason is no one realized hpv was connected to much more than cervical cancer until fairly recently.
Yeah, not everyone.
HPV spreads even when condoms are used - any skin to skin contact can spread it. So yeah, not everyone, but it’s exceptionally prevalent. Luckily most strains are relatively harmless.
This was the case a decade ago but now the US recommendation is that all children, boys and girls, get the vaccine.