HPV Vaccine Linked to 69% Lower Risk of Head And Neck Cancer
Everybody wins.
Recent research demonstrates that the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, originally developed to protect women from cervical cancer, is providing substantial protection against head and neck cancers in men as well. A large observational study examining health data from 1.4 million Americans found that vaccinated individuals had approximately 69 percent fewer cases of head and neck cancers compared to unvaccinated counterparts. The analysis identified 40 cancer cases among over 700,000 vaccinated participants, while an age-matched unvaccinated group experienced 130 cases.
Since its FDA approval in 2006, the HPV vaccine has proven remarkably effective at preventing cervical cancer, with some nations achieving near 90 percent reductions in cases. The virus is responsible for roughly 16,000 oropharyngeal cancers annually in the United States, with approximately 85 percent occurring in males. Recognizing HPV’s role in these throat and mouth cancers, the FDA fast-tracked approval in 2020 to officially include head and neck cancer prevention for both sexes.
Despite these advances, public awareness remains limited. Survey data from 2025 showed that over 70 percent of American adults were unaware that HPV could cause oral cancers. Currently, the HPV vaccine is recommended for all young people up to age 26 in the United States, yet global vaccination efforts continue to prioritize female recipients, with the World Health Organization classifying males as secondary targets.
Originally reported by Sciencealert →
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