HPV And Men: An Overdue Conversation

HPV is widely misconstrued as a female-specific condition, but nothing can be further from the truth

- Evigan Xiao

DESPITE A PROGRESSIVE STANCE on discussing matters of sex and sexuality, broaching topics involving sexually transmitted infections (STIs) is still taboo in anything but the most intimate circles. Consequently, myths and misconceptions surrounding certain STIs remain largely unaddressed by society.

Another Silent Danger

One of the more common and misunderstood STIs is the human papillomavirus (HPV). According to the Singapore Cancer Society, eight out of 10 people contract an HPV infection at some point in their lifetime without even knowing it. This is unsurprising because HPV comprises more than 200 related viruses. What is more disturbing, however, is that 14 of these viruses are cancer-causing.

Of the 14 cancer-related HPV strains, HPV 16 and HPV 18 are the most common causes for cervical cancer. But here is where men need to start paying attention: HPV 16 is also known to increase the risk of anal, penile and throat cancer. According to Dr Tan Wei Sheng, the medical director and consultant dermatologist of Dermatology and Co, HPV infections are closely linked to 90 per cent of the cases regarding anal cancer for men.