HPV Vaccine: Why Both Girls and Boys Should Get Vaccinated Against Cancer
Around the world, doctors and researchers are fighting an intense battle against an invisible enemy that kills hundreds of thousands of women every year. The enemy is called human papillomavirus – or simply HPV. But here's the good news: We have a weapon that works. The question is, are we using it well enough? Especially here in Singapore, where we're usually quite on top of our vaccinations.
HPV Vaccine: More Than Just Cervical Cancer
When we talk about the HPV vaccination, most people immediately think of cervical cancer. And it's true – HPV is the cause of nearly all cervical cancer cases. But HPV can do more than that. The virus is also a major cause of cancers of the mouth, throat, and genitals in both women and men. Yet, only a few countries have really gotten it right when it comes to vaccinating boys.
Boys Should Join The Fight Too
Health experts globally are now making a strong case for offering HPV vaccination to boys as well. Their argument is clear: Boys carry and transmit the virus, and they themselves are at risk of developing mouth and throat cancers. In fact, recent research shows that HPV-related mouth cancer is on the rise in men. So why have we focused only on girls for so long? It's about herd immunity – the more people vaccinated, the harder it is for the virus to spread.
What Does The World Health Organisation Say?
WHO's Director-General has repeatedly emphasised that we have a historic opportunity to eliminate a cancer for the first time. The goal is for 90% of girls worldwide to be fully vaccinated against HPV by the time they turn 15. And more and more countries are now including boys in their national programmes. This requires political will and a solid effort to educate the public that the vaccine is safe and it really works.
How Is Singapore Doing?
Here at home, we've had our ups and downs with the HPV vaccine. HPV vaccination has been part of the national school-based health programme for girls since 2010, and since 2019, it has also been extended to boys. But we're not quite there yet. While uptake is generally good, we can always do better to ensure we're protecting our next generation. For every child who misses out on vaccination, the risk increases that we'll see more cases of cervical cancer and other HPV-related diseases down the road.
- Cervical cancer: Nearly 100% of cases are caused by HPV.
- Mouth and throat cancer: HPV is responsible for a growing number of cases, especially in men.
- Genital cancers: Cancers of the vulva, vagina, penis, and anus can be triggered by HPV.
- Genital warts: A benign but troublesome consequence of HPV infection.
It's worth remembering that the vaccine works best when given before a person becomes sexually active. That's why it's offered to pre-teens. But even if you're older, you can still benefit from vaccination – speak to your doctor.
The Future Is Bright If We Act Now
Imagine a world without cervical cancer. It's not a fantasy – it's a realistic goal if we achieve high vaccination rates while ensuring that women still go for regular screenings. Because even though the vaccine covers the most dangerous HPV types, there's always a small remaining risk. But with a collective effort, we can save tens of thousands of lives every single year. Right here in Singapore too. It just requires all of us – parents, doctors, policymakers – to take responsibility and say yes to vaccines when they're offered. As they say, prevention is better than cure.
So the next time you hear about the HPV vaccine, remember that it's not just about girls and cervical cancer. It's about protecting an entire generation – both girls and boys – against a range of serious cancers. We have the means, we have the knowledge, and we have the opportunity. Let's seize it.