HPV Vaccine Gardasil Approved For Prevention of Head And Neck Cancers– Could Help Millions Of Men Avoid The Cancers That Struck Val Kilmer & Michael Douglas

There’s been evidence to suggest that Gardasil may have benefits in treating diseases such as throat cancer, but it hadn’t been approved by the FDA until now. Prior to this approval, Gardasil was recommended to women between the ages of 9-45 years-old in order to prevent cervical, vulvar, vaginal, and anal cancer. This is based on accelerated approval which found evidence that the vaccine is effective in preventing the type of cancer, but the official approval will be based on further results from current clinical trials to prove concrete benefits.

Related: More than 70% of Americans Don't Know that HPV Can Cause Anal, Oral, and Penile Cancers Even With Famous Advocates Such as Michael Douglas and Marcia Cross

While HPV related diseases are most commonly associated with women, men are also at risk, primarily with cancers that effect parts of their head and neck. 

Dr. Jessica Geiger explains why the HPV vaccine is so important in preventing cancer

What Is The HPV Vaccine?

Human papillomavirus (HPV) affects 80 million Americans annually and 80% of Americans have HPV. While the virus may  affect a large portion of me and women, only a small number of people develop HPV-linked cancers, commonly of the cervix, or head and neck. The vaccine is recommended to protect against these cancers. In women, doctors try to administer it before a person becomes sexually active. Typically, doctors recommend that young women between the ages of 9 and 26 be given the HPV vaccine.

Related: What You Need to Know About the HPV Vaccine Now That Millions More Americans Can Get It

Despite the evidence that the HPV vaccine can help prevent cancers, there are a few myths circling around the vaccine. One reason parents resist getting the vaccine for their kids is due to a myth that it can cause autism. However, that has been disproven. “The HPV vaccines do not cause autism, there's always a risk of some vaccine-related side effects … local site injection pain, some redness, some swelling,” Dr. Jessica Geiger, a medical oncologist at Cleveland Clinic Cancer Center, says. “There are no syndromes such as autism or other neurologic symptoms that have been linked to the HPV vaccines."

HPV And Men’s Cancer Risk

When people talk about HPV and cancer risk, they tend to be talking about cervical cancer. The discussion is warranted, especially since nearly all of cervical cancer diagnoses are caused by HPV. However, people also need to be aware that HPV is linked to a variety of cancers, and men are equally at risk for diseases such as head and neck cancers.

Related: Should Adult Men be Given the HPV Vaccine to Prevent Cancer?

"The strains of HPV that cause cervical cancer are the same strains of HPV that cause throat cancer," says Dr. Geiger in a separate interview. "There average patient with HPV-related throat cancer tends to be males in their 40s or 50s, who were never a smoker or just a very light tobacco user."

Dr. Jessica Geiger lays down the facts on HPV associated with men’s cancer risk

Cancer Survivors Spreading HPV Awareness

Following their diagnoses, a handful of cancer survivors have taken their experience and dedicated their lives to spreading awareness of HPV related cancers. This is the case for artist and throat cancer survivor Michael Rees, who now advocates for HPV vaccines in order to help others at risk. Michael's cancer was caused by HPV, and he highlighted how a lot of men from his generation (Michael is 62) are now dealing with HPV-linked cancers because the vaccine was not available to them. Now, Rees is urging others to get vaccinated for HPV, and vaccinate their children, in order to prevent a cancer diagnosis.

Related: Get the Facts: HPV Can Cause Cancer in Men Too

"Not everyone who could be vaccinated is getting vaccinated," Rees says. "You can prevent the suffering of a loved one 40 or 50 years from now by making sure that they have the HPV vaccine. … I really would hope that everyone who has children, before they become sexually active, would absolutely get the vaccine. In fact, this is the primary reason I wanted to come here today. To make sure that somehow my voice became a part of the chorus."

Throat cancer survivor Michael Rees urges others to vaccinate their kids

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