0
0
Despite significant strides in medical science, Human Papillomavirus (HPV) continues to be a major public health challenge in India, with new evidence highlighting that men are also at serious risk—a fact often overlooked in prevention efforts.
A Silent Threat to Men
Cervical cancer, caused almost entirely by persistent HPV infection, is the fourth most common cancer among women globally and claims over 350,000 lives each year. In India, a woman dies of cervical cancer every eight minutes, making it the second most common cancer among Indian women. However, HPV is not limited to women. Persistent infection with certain high-risk HPV types can cause anal, penile, and oropharyngeal (mouth/throat) cancers in men.
Recent studies, including one presented at the 10th Asia Pacific AIDS and Co-Infections Conference (APACC 2025) by Mumbai-based microbiologist Dr. Prapti Gilada-Toshinwal, found that 62% of men who have sex with men screened tested positive for anal HPV. Among those also living with HIV, the rate rose to 68.5%, with HPV genotypes 16, 18, and 45 being the most common. Many of these men also had other sexually transmitted infections, underscoring the need for integrated health responses.
Screening and Vaccination Gaps
India’s HPV prevention landscape remains heavily focused on women, with only 1.2% of women aged 15–49 ever screened for cervical cancer, far below the WHO target of 70%. There is no routine screening program for men, leading to late diagnoses and frequent misdiagnosis of anal cancers as piles or fissures.
Experts are now calling for expanded HPV vaccination and screening for boys and men. “We need HPV vaccination and screening for boys and men too,” insists Vijay Nair, Chairperson of Udaan Trust. “Without proper anoscopy centres and awareness, men are being left out of the prevention net.”
Breakthroughs in Diagnostics and Vaccination
A significant development is the validation of India’s first indigenous point-of-care HPV DNA test—Truenat HPV-HR Plus—which screens for eight high-risk HPV genotypes responsible for over 96% of cervical cancers. This test, developed by Molbio Diagnostics and validated by leading Indian research institutions in collaboration with WHO’s International Agency for Research on Cancer, offers a low-cost, rapid, and scalable solution for expanding access to HPV screening.
On the vaccination front, WHO now recommends a single dose of HPV vaccine for young girls, a shift supported by robust evidence from long-term studies. India’s indigenous HPV vaccine, Ceravac, developed by Serum Institute of India, is also approved for boys and is available at half the cost of international versions, but it is yet to be included in the national immunization program.
A Call for Inclusive Action
The WHO’s Cervical Cancer Elimination Initiative aims to reduce the global incidence below 4 cases per 100,000 women by the end of the century, with targets of 90% vaccination by age 15, 70% screening by age 35 and 45, and 90% treatment for those with pre-cancer or cancer. However, experts stress that these goals require urgent political will, public funding, and societal commitment.
As India and the world prepare for the UN High-Level Meeting on Non-Communicable Diseases in September 2025, the message is clear: HPV-related cancers are preventable, but only if prevention is inclusive and reaches all genders and communities.
Disclaimer:
This article is based on information from credible news sources and expert opinions. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, readers are advised to consult healthcare professionals for medical advice or diagnosis. The views expressed are those of the cited experts and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any institution or organization.
