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Men should also get the cervical cancer vaccine. It is advisable to get the HPV vaccine regardless of gender or age, as it can prevent the type of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection that has not yet been exposed.
Cervical cancer is female genital cancer that occurs in the cervix, the entrance to the uterus. HPV is known to play a key role in 99% of cervical cancers. Among them, the risk of cervical cancer increases by more than 10 times when infected with the high-risk virus type 16·18.
As such, 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. 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.
In Korea, 2 human papillomavirus vaccinations are provided free of charge to female adolescents aged 12 from 2016. Women can be vaccinated free of charge, but men are not yet eligible for free immunization. For men, the amount is about 600,000 won based on three vaccinations, which is a burden.
“Human papilloma virus is rare in men, but it can cause anal cancer and genital warts,” said Kikyung-do, professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Kangdong Kyunghee University Hospital. “There are many aspects that help prevent viruses because they can spread the virus.”
However, many countries abroad already include human papillomavirus vaccinations that remain indispensable. Professor Kyeong-do Ki said, “Currently, women aged 9 to 45 years old and men aged 9 to 26 years old are currently vaccinated against cervical cancer in Korea, but since it can prevent the type of HPV infection that has not yet been exposed, HPV vaccine is given regardless of gender and age. It’s good to have it.”