World Cancer Day: Approximately 2,900 Men Diagnosed with HPV-Related Cancers Annually

On World Cancer Day, new data highlights a concerning statistic: nearly 2,900 men in Germany are diagnosed each year with cancers linked to Human Papillomavirus (HPV). According to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), this figure includes around 1,000 cases of anal and genital cancers, alongside approximately 1,900 instances of oropharyngeal cancer.

Although this number may seem relatively small compared to the overall 270,000 annual cancer diagnoses among men, experts stress the severity of these conditions. They emphasize that these 2,900 cases represent serious, potentially life-threatening illnesses that, due to the long latency period of years or even decades before symptom manifestation, could largely be preventable through effective vaccination against HPV.

HPV is among the most common sexually transmitted infections globally, affecting nearly every sexually active individual at least once in their lifetime. The virus has over 200 different types, and while many infections are asymptomatic and resolve without intervention, certain strains can lead to various cancers, including cervical cancer in women and penile, anal, and oropharyngeal cancers in men.

Globally, HPV is responsible for about half of all known cancer cases attributable to infections. Despite the availability of a vaccine that can offer nearly 100% protection against certain high-risk HPV types, vaccination rates remain low, particularly among males. The Standing Committee on Vaccination (Stiko) has recommended HPV vaccination for girls since 2007 and expanded this recommendation to boys in 2018, targeting those aged 9 to 14 years. To achieve effective immunity, two doses of the vaccine are needed, spaced at least five months apart, with catch-up vaccinations available until the age of 17 for those who missed the initial opportunity.

As of 2023, vaccination coverage among 15-year-old boys in Germany is alarmingly low, with only about one-third fully vaccinated against HPV, according to RKI data.