[칼럼]Should men get the cervical cancer vaccine?

[칼럼]Should men get the cervical cancer vaccine?

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→ HPV virus increases the risk of cervical cancer by up to 10 times

→ Men can also be vaccinated to help prevent anal cancer and genital warts.

In dramas, men were vaccinated against cervical cancer and men were also selected as advertising models. The cervical cancer vaccine, which is still unfamiliar to men who do not have a uterus, should be given, and what effect would the vaccination do if they were unfamiliar, so there are many questions.

▲ Human papilloma (HPV) virus, a key cause of cervical cancer

Cervical cancer is female genital cancer that occurs in the cervix, the entrance to the uterus. Human PapillomaVirus (HPV) is known to play the most critical role in 99% of cases. Among them, the presence of high-risk viruses (type 16, 18, etc.) increases the risk of cervical cancer by more than 10 times. However, the papilloma virus does not necessarily cause cervical cancer. Since 70-80% of viral infections disappear naturally within one year, there is no need to worry about viral infections in advance.

▲ The only cancer that can be vaccinated due to the obvious cause

As such, it can be said that cervical cancer is’the only cancer that can be vaccinated’ in that it is caused by a viral infection. Therefore, it is important to get vaccination and get regular checkups. Currently, in Korea, two doses of human papillomavirus vaccinations are provided free of charge for female adolescents aged 12 since 2016. In addition, according to the National Cancer Screening Recommendation, women over the age of 20 are advised to undergo cervical cancer screening every two years. Cervical cancer screening, which was previously conducted for women over 30 years old, has also been expanded to women over 20 years old from 2016.

▲Vaccination for men also helps prevent anal cancer and genital warts

Women can be vaccinated free of charge, but men are not yet eligible for free immunization. The amount is about 600,000 won based on 3 vaccinations, which is sure to be a burden. Human papillomavirus is rare in men, but can cause anal cancer and genital warts. Recently, head and neck cancer has also been found to be deeply related to the human papilloma virus. In addition, since the virus can be transmitted to women through sexual intercourse, there are many aspects that are helpful in preventing the virus.

▲ Overseas, it is good if boys are vaccinated by the country, even after adolescence

Overseas, many countries already include human papillomavirus vaccinations that remain mandatory. According to the results of various overseas studies, the cervical cancer mortality rate is predicted to decrease by 99% within 100 years. If the vaccination remains, cervical cancer is expected to end. HPV vaccines are largely divided into ▲2, ▲4, and ▲9, which basically include types 16 and 18, and other types are added. Since the infection cannot be prevented, vaccination is recommended in adolescents before sexual intercourse begins. Currently, domestic cervical cancer vaccination targets are women aged 9 to 45 and men aged 9 to 26, but it is recommended to receive HPV vaccine regardless of gender or age because it can prevent the type of HPV infection that has not yet been exposed.



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