Published on
Updated
Reading 3 mins.
in collaboration with
Ivan Pourmir (medical oncologist)
According to the results of a scientific study published on Wednesday, a third of men are affected by the papillomavirus. They would also be 21% to be carriers of a form likely to trigger cancer. Should all young men get the HPV vaccine? The answers of Dr Ivan Pourmir, medical oncologist at the Georges-Pompidou European Hospital.
The study of The Lancet Global Health intended to “to determine the prevalence of genital HPV infection in the general male population“. For this, the scientists therefore relied on 65 publications published in 35 different countries, between January 1, 1995 and June 1, 2022.
Two genotypes of the virus, particularly frequent
According to their results, almost a third (31%) of men worldwide are affected by a form of HPV, or human papillomavirus. And more than one in five men (21%) would have contracted a form likely to cause cancer.
This study more precisely points to two genotypes of HPV, considered to be the most frequent: HPV-6, causing genital warts and considered to be at low risk and HPV-16, considered, on the other hand, to be at high risk of cancer.
Men affected evenly across the world
This work also shows that this prevalence affects men in similar ways, in different regions of the globe, as well “in Europe, North America, Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as Australia and New Zealand“. The only exception: East and South-East Asia, where it is halved.
The prevalence of these viruses is “high” in men over 15 years old. Then “eIt is said to be very high among young adults, reaching a peak between the ages of 25 and 29 and stabilizing or decreasing slightly thereafter.
Overall, the researchers conclude, “sexually active men, regardless of age, are an important reservoir of genital HPV infection”.
More prevention among the male population
For the authors, these results show “the importance of integrating men into comprehensive HPV prevention strategies to reduce HPV-related morbidity and mortality in men and ultimately eliminate cervical cancer and other HPV-related diseases“.
Remember that the papillomavirus, classified as a sexually transmitted infection (STI), is very common. It would be responsible for cancers of the cervix, but also other types of cancer, such as that of the oropharynx or the anus. There is a vaccine against its most frequent forms, recommended in France for all young girls and boys from 11 to 19 years old.
Is a general vaccination of this population necessary?
For years, the League Against Cancer has been asking for 100% coverage and mandatory HPV vaccination for girls And boys, to fight these cancers and fight against inequalities in the territory. According to the League, “it is estimated that 80% of the population has been or will be exposed to HPV. While the infection is often mild, some are the cause of cancer: 6,400 cancers a year in France are attributable to HPV. This represents nearly 2% of incident cancers (3,000 of them concern cancer of the cervix, 1,500 concern the ENT sphere, 1,500 concern cancers of the anus; the rest is divided between cancers vulva, vagina and penis)“.
Asked about the subject, Dr. Ivan Pourmir, medical oncologist, believes that we must take a step back on the issue. “Where we have the most hindsight, although we are not 100% sure, is about the causal link between certain strains of HPV and cancer of the cervix in women. For the involvement of these viruses in ENT cancers, the data are more recent and there is a strong suspicion, less documented however than for cancer of the cervix. In both cases, even if the vaccine were generalized, we cannot think of eradicating the virus, it is not that simple” first explains the specialist.
“In young girls, a decrease in precancerous lesions was observed during their follow-up, which does not mean that they will not develop cancer. One can imagine an increased protection against infection in the months following vaccination, due to a temporarily increased production of antibodies, but the acquisition of a strong and lasting immunity at the level of the mucous membranes (ENT, vaginal or uterine) is unlikely with this type of vaccine. Without forgetting the benefit-risk balance, which can be unfavorable in certain cases, rare, but which can multiply, if vaccination becomes massive. So promoting the vaccine in this sense and wanting to systematically vaccinate girls and boys with the aim of eradicating HPV is going astray, in my opinion,” he concludes.
The recommendation to vaccinate girls and boys aged 11 to 14 with catch-up vaccination between 15 and 19 is therefore probably a necessary but not sufficient measure. It should not overshadow the importance of screening.