Why must boys get cervical cancer vaccines?

Vaccination emerges as a pivotal strategy in the battle against cervical cancer, as highlighted by a prominent medical expert during the observance of Cervical Cancer Awareness Month. The global landscape reveals cervical cancer as the fourth most prevalent cancer in women, reporting 604,000 new cases in 2020. A major contributor to cervical cancer is the human papillomavirus (HPV), a sexually transmitted infection. Most individuals contract HPV at some point, with their immune systems effectively combatting the infection. However, persistent HPV infection can lead to cervical cell changes and, eventually, cancerous transformations.

Dr. Stephanie Ricci, a staff physician specializing in gynecologic oncology at the Oncology Institute, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, underscores the heightened risk of cervical cancer associated with multiple strains of the HPV virus. Factors compromising the immune system, such as immunosuppressant medications, conditions like obesity and diabetes, and high levels of stress, can impede the body's ability to fend off HPV, making individuals susceptible to cervical cancer.

The HPV vaccine proves to be a crucial preventive measure, covering nine of the most high-risk HPV strains. Notably, HPV 16 and HPV 18 contribute to approximately 70% of cervical cancers. Dr. Stephanie emphasizes the vaccine's effectiveness in countries with national vaccination programs, which have significantly reduced or eradicated cervical cancer. Vaccination is recommended for both boys and girls between the ages of nine and 12, with optimal efficacy seen in this age range. While girls are advised to take the vaccine during this window, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has extended approval for women up to the age of 45.

Dr. Stephanie underscores the importance of vaccinating boys, highlighting their role in transmitting HPV to women and the consequential risk of cervical cancer. Additionally, boys' vaccination addresses the prevention of genital warts, another condition caused by the HPV virus. While not cancerous, genital warts can cause distress, and the vaccine provides protection against the two HPV strains responsible for these warts.

In the realm of cervical cancer screening, Dr. Stephanie advocates for pap smears with HPV testing as a proven and effective method. Timely identification of cervical dysplasia or pre-cancerous cells allows for intervention before they progress to cancer. Screening recommendations from the Abu Dhabi Public Health Center include pap smears every three years for women aged 25 to 29 and every five years for women aged 30 to 65, along with an HPV test. Managing lifestyle risk factors, such as maintaining a healthy lifestyle and abstaining from smoking, is also emphasized as a means to reduce the risk of cervical cancer.