Does the HPV Vaccine Prevent Cancer in Men? An Overlooked Risk in Türkiye
In this article
Does the HPV Vaccine Prevent Cancer in Men? A New Study Settles the Debate
JAMA Oncology, April 9, 2026 · doi: 10.1001/jamaoncol.2026.0542
A major misconception surrounds the HPV vaccine, long known as the “cervical cancer vaccine”: it is thought to concern only women. Yet HPV can also cause potentially fatal head and neck, penile, and anal cancers in men. A groundbreaking new study published on April 9, 2026 in JAMA Oncologysettled the debate by demonstrating how dramatically the 9-valent HPV vaccine, covering 9 types, reduced cancer incidence in men.
HPV in Men: High Risk and a Silent Threat
HPV infection in men is usually asymptomatic, but when the virus persists in the body, it triggers oncogenic, or cancer-causing, processes. While women have screening programs such as Pap smears and HPV testing, the absence of comparable routine screening in men makes vaccination the only protective shield.
JAMA Oncology Data: Striking Results
The study followed men who received the 9-valent vaccine and an unvaccinated comparison group for 10 years. The results show how successful the vaccine is at preventing not only warts but also cancers, the true “silent killers.”
- The only method of protection against oropharyngeal (throat) cancers
- Eliminating the risk of transmitting the virus to a partner
- Avoiding the surgical burden of precancerous lesions
- Minimizing the risk of penile cancer
- Ideal period: ages 9-14 (2 doses)
- Catch-up vaccination: ages 15-26 (3 doses)
- Individualized recommendation: ages 27-45 (in consultation with a physician)
- The 9-valent vaccine provides the broadest spectrum of protection
🎓 DROZDOGAN Academy — Commentary and Discussion
HPV VACCINATION AND COMMUNITY IMMUNITY · ANALYSIS
Gender Blindness
Confining HPV vaccination to the category of “women's health” is a major strategic error from an oncological perspective. The JAMA Oncology data show that vaccinating men not only protects men against cancer but also indirectly lowers cancer rates in women by disrupting the circulation of the virus in the community.
Why Is This Critical for Türkiye?
In our country, the incidence of head and neck cancer is trending upward among men, and a substantial proportion of these cancers is caused by HPV. While women have an opportunity for early diagnosis through screening, men have no effective tool other than vaccination to protect themselves against HPV-related cancers. Including boys in the national vaccination program is a medical necessity.
Conclusion
This study has put the question “Does the vaccine work in men?” to rest. The evidence is clear: HPV-related cancers fall to almost zero in vaccinated men. Healing requires breaking down prejudices and following the sound guidance of science.
References
- Zhu Y, et al. Effectiveness of the 9-valent Human Papillomavirus Vaccine in Preventing HPV-related Cancers in Men. JAMA Oncology 2026.
- CDC (2026 Update): HPV Vaccination Recommendations for Males and Females.
This article was prepared in line with the vision of evidence-guided medicine, using the latest data from current scientific literature. It was reviewed by our medical editors before publication.
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