The analysis led by researchers from the Center for Health Sciences of the University of Texas (USA) and published in JAMA PediatricsIt included 2,564 men and 3,697 women participating in the National Survey of Health Information Trends and highlights that men are less likely than women to know that the virus carries a cancer risk. Two thirds of men and one third of women between 18 and 26 years old did not know that HPV causes cervical cancer. In addition, more than 80 percent of men and 75 percent of women in the same age group, and 70 percent of all American adults of any age did not know that HPV can cause oral, anal, and cancer. of penis
The study also showed that, of the people who were eligible for the vaccine or had family members eligible for the vaccine, only 19 percent of the men and 31.5 percent of the women received recommendations from a doctor for the vaccine.
“The low levels of knowledge about HPV in these older age groups are particularly worrisome, given that these individuals are (or probably will be) parents responsible for making HPV vaccination decisions for their children,” said the assistant professor in the School of Health UTHealth Public HealthKalyani Sonawane
Researchers have explained that HPV vaccination campaigns have largely focused on the prevention of cervical cancer in women, however, their findings demonstrate the need to educate both sexes about HPV and its vaccination.
“Cervical cancer rates have decreased in the last 15 to 20 years thanks to their detection. On the other hand, there was an increase of more than 200 percent in the rates of oropharyngeal cancer in men and an increase of almost 150 percent in the rates of anal cancer in women, ”said Deshmukh.