Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a bigger risk for young gay men than many people realize. 

 

A new study, recently published in the Journal of Community Health, revealed that many men in their 20s who have sex with other men don't know much about HPV, including how it’s transmitted, its symptoms, and how it contributes to cancer risk. 

 

HPV is a very common sexually transmitted disease. There are 14 million new cases of HPV diagnosed each year, many of those within the gay and bisexual community. Those with HPV usually have no symptoms or health issues, though sometimes HPV can cause genital warts, and even be a contributing factor to cancer, including anal cancer. 

There is an HPV vaccination, but it is not promoted as much to young men as it is to young women.

 

“Particularly in light of the decades-long focus on gay men’s health care as HIV care, there is a missed opportunity for HPV prevention in the community,” said study co-author Caleb LoSchiavo, a doctoral research assistant.

 

“Clinicians have a direct role in expanding the availability of LGBTQ-competent health care,” added lead study author Jessica Jaiswal. “By learning about sexual minority men’s diverse health needs and routinely offering the HPV vaccine, we can move toward a health promotion model and not only a disease prevention model."

 

Two forms of vaccines are available -- Gardasil and Cervarix -- with both providing protection for just under ten years. It is recommended that all sexually active men talk to their doctor about HPV and ways to prevent it.