Recent celebrations of Children’s Day and Universal Children’s Day in November have brought fresh calls for Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination for both boys and girls, as the deadly virus strikes across gender lines.
Cervical cancer kills one woman every eight minutes in India, but males also face serious health risks from HPV. The virus causes genital warts and cancers of the anus, penis, and/or oropharynx (throat/mouth) in men.
At a recent UNICEF India workshop, experts pushed for early HPV vaccination for both boys and girls, ideally between 9 and 14 years, to cut community spread. The World Health Organization also backs vaccination for both genders.
Virus primarily comes from men
Dr Nita Thakre, President of the Ahmedabad Obstetrics and Gynaecological Society (AOGS), said, “More than 3.4 lakh women are dying due to cervical cancer, which usually stems from persistent HPV infection. This virus primarily comes from men, so vaccinating boys is equally important.” She added, “Early sexual activity, multiple partners, poor nutrition and weak immunity are the biggest risk factors for HPV persistence. People from all walks of life can be affected, which is why awareness matters, right from the school level.”
Cancer seen in early 20s
According to AOGS, the most common age group for cervical cancer was above 40 years two decades ago. Now it appears in women during their early 20s.
Dr Nishtha Tripathi, a gynaecologic oncologist, confirmed this trend: “This cancer usually takes around 15 years to develop, so most women present with stage 2 and 3 cervical cancer. Stage 2 cancer can still be cured through different methods.” “Better screening methods can prevent this cancer at the pre-cancerous stage. The government has even trained ASHA workers to help women in rural areas. Most importantly, this is the only cancer that vaccination can prevent,” she added.
Dr Tripathi stressed that vaccination works best between 9 and 14 years of age. Women can receive the vaccine until 45, whilst males should get it between 9 and 14 years. The vaccine fights nine different strains.
Second highest killer in women
Associate professor at IIPH, Dr Anish Sinha, said, “The Government of India is working to provide free HPV vaccination for adolescent girls, as they’re more prone to the virus and developing cervical cancer, which is the second highest cause of death in women after breast cancer.”
“However, boys should also receive the HPV vaccine,” Dr Sinha said, noting that the virus harms rural and urban women equally.