HPV vaccines do far more than prevent cervical cancer in women; a large new study shows they cut the risk of HPV-related cancers in men by nearly 50%. Men and boys who received the vaccine between ages 9 and 26 were significantly less likely to develop cancers of the head and neck, esophagus, anus, or penis, according to research published in JAMA Oncology. The findings highlight a major blind spot in cancer prevention: while cervical cancer screening catches precancers early, no such programs exist for the other HPV-related cancers that affect men and women alike .

What Does the New Research Actually Show?

The study, led by Taito Kitano, DrPH, at Nara Prefecture General Medical Center in Japan, tracked more than 510,000 vaccinated boys and men alongside an equal number of unvaccinated males between January 2016 and December 2024. The vaccinated group received shots protecting against nine strains of HPV. The results were striking: vaccinated participants showed nearly a 50% reduction in risk for HPV-related cancers of the head and neck, esophagus, anus, and penis .

"The new study provides the strongest evidence yet that HPV vaccines protect men as well as women. This is a vaccine that is preventing cancer in a major way," said Oliver Brooks, MD, a pediatrician and spokesman for the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases.

Oliver Brooks, MD, Pediatrician and Spokesman for the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases

The scale of the study impressed experts. "The size of the study, which included more than 510,000 boys and men vaccinated between January 2016 and December 2024, along with an equal number of unvaccinated males," made the findings particularly robust, Brooks noted. This is the strongest evidence to date that HPV vaccines protect men as well as women .

Why This Matters More for Men Than Women?

Here's the critical difference: cervical cancer screening has saved countless lives by detecting precancers before they become malignant. But for the other HPV-related cancers, there are no early detection programs. Head and neck cancers, which often develop in the back of the mouth and throat, are typically discovered only after they cause symptoms like pain or swelling. By that time, they're often larger and more advanced, making them harder to treat .

"HPV vaccines could be even more of a game-changer for these other cancers than for cervical cancer," said Otis Brawley, MD, a professor of oncology at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.

Otis Brawley, MD, Professor of Oncology at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

Treatment for advanced head and neck cancers can be brutal. Therapy is often painful and may make it difficult or impossible for people to eat or drink during treatment. Prevention through vaccination, therefore, becomes even more valuable than it is for cervical cancer, where screening offers a safety net .

How Widespread Is HPV Infection?

HPV is remarkably common. The virus infects nearly everyone who has had sex at some point in their lives. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 42 million Americans are currently infected with types of HPV known to cause disease. About 13 million Americans, including teens, become newly infected each year through sexual contact .

In most cases, the immune system clears the virus on its own. But about 1% of people develop chronic infections, which dramatically increase cancer risk. Nearly 40,000 Americans per year are diagnosed with a malignancy caused by HPV. The virus causes more than 90% of cervical cancers, as well as most cancers of the vagina, vulva, head and neck, penis, and anus .

Steps to Understand HPV Vaccination Coverage and Recommendations

• Age Range for Vaccination: The CDC recommends HPV vaccination for children at ages 11 to 12, when they receive other routine shots. However, vaccination is allowed as early as age 9 and as late as age 45, giving a wide window for protection.
• Vaccine Evolution: The first HPV vaccine approved in 2006 protected against two to four strains of HPV. Current vaccines protect against nine strains, which together prevent 90% of cervical cancers and provide broader protection against other HPV-related malignancies.
• Global Reach: More than 300 million doses of HPV vaccines have been administered worldwide over the past two decades, making it one of the most widely used cancer prevention tools in history.

Is HPV Vaccination Actually Working in Real Life?

The evidence is clear: cervical cancer rates are plummeting in vaccinated generations. Cervical cancer incidence fell 65% from 2012 to 2019 among US women younger than 25 years. In the same age group, cervical cancer deaths declined by 62% from 2013-2015 to 2019-2021 . These are the women who were eligible for vaccination when the programs rolled out.

Beyond direct protection, HPV vaccines appear to create herd immunity. Two recent studies suggest that vaccinations have lowered HPV levels in the population enough to protect even unvaccinated people. Additionally, a study published in December found that HPV vaccines prevent precancers of the vagina and vulva, expanding the list of cancers they protect against .

Contrary to early concerns, there is no evidence that HPV vaccination encourages sexual risk-taking. According to the CDC's 2023 Youth Risk Behavior Survey, adolescent sexual activity has actually declined since 2013, the opposite of what some worried would happen .

Why Aren't More People Getting Vaccinated?

Despite two decades of research and education, HPV vaccination efforts have stalled in the United States. Vaccination coverage among teens remained unchanged from 2022 to 2024, with 78.2% receiving one or more doses and only 62.9% reporting they had received all recommended doses. This plateau suggests that awareness and acceptance remain barriers .

A survey published in JAMA Oncology found that more than a third of US adults are unfamiliar with HPV itself. Many people are unaware of the HPV vaccine, and more than 70% don't know that HPV causes oral cancers. Misinformation also plays a role. Some public figures have called HPV shots "dangerous and defective," despite an abundance of data showing them to be remarkably effective and safe .

"Children, adolescents, parents and health care workers should be more informed about the expected benefits of HPV vaccine, not just cervical cancer," said Taito Kitano, DrPH, first author of the study.

Taito Kitano, DrPH, Researcher at Nara Prefecture General Medical Center

The new research provides exactly the kind of evidence that could shift public perception. By showing that HPV vaccines protect men from multiple cancers, not just women from cervical disease, the findings underscore that this is a vaccine for everyone. As one expert noted, "It's good news, because it will change what people think about HPV vaccines" .