New study finds HPV vaccine stops cancer in men, but not enough boys in the US are getting vaccinated.

The HPV vaccine is showing promise in preventing cancer in both men and women. While it was initially developed for cervical cancer in women, new research indicates its effectiveness in reducing HPV-related cancers in men, particularly mouth and throat cancers.

A study involving a large healthcare dataset compared vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals. The findings revealed that vaccinated men exhibited a lower risk of developing HPV-related cancers, including those affecting the anus, penis, mouth, and throat.

Although the number of cancer cases was relatively low due to the time it takes for these cancers to develop, the study highlights the early positive effects of vaccination. Experts anticipate the full benefits of the HPV vaccine to become more apparent in the coming decades.

Despite the promising results, vaccination rates for boys remain lower than for girls. A separate study revealed an increase in HPV vaccination rates among young people, but a significant gap persists between males and females.

It is crucial to emphasize to parents and young men that HPV vaccination is essential for reducing cancer risk. Teenagers, in particular, should receive the vaccine before potential exposure to the virus.