HPV screening: Gender disparities and insights
Written in association with:
Obstetrician - gynaecologist
Published: 23/04/2024
Edited by: Kate Forristal
Human papillomavirus (HPV) ranks as the prevalent sexually transmitted infection globally. It can cause cancer in both men and women, but it is more likely to cause cancer in women. That's why women are offered HPV screening, but men are not. In his latest online article, Mr Mahantesh Karoshi gives us his insights.
When a woman is found to have high-risk HPV on her smear, it means that she has been infected with a type of HPV that can cause cancer. However, it does not necessarily mean that she will develop cancer. In fact, most women with high-risk HPV will never develop cancer.
The reason why a woman's husband is not usually offered oral or throat or penile swabs to detect HPV is because it is not very common for men to develop cancer from HPV infection. In fact, only about 1% of men with high-risk HPV will develop cancer.
There are a few reasons why men are less likely to develop cancer from HPV infection than women. First, the type of HPV that is most likely to cause cancer in women is not the same type that is most likely to cause cancer in men. Second, men's immune systems are better at clearing HPV infection than women's immune systems.
As a result, it is not considered to be cost-effective to screen men for HPV infection. The American Cancer Society does not recommend routine HPV screening for men.
However, some men may be offered HPV testing on a case-by-case basis. This could include men who have had a history of genital warts or who have had sex with multiple partners.
In conclusion, if a woman is found to have high-risk HPV on her smear, it is not usually necessary to test her husband for HPV. Men are less likely than women to develop cancer from HPV infection, and it is not considered to be cost-effective to screen men for HPV infection on a regular basis. However, some men who are at increased risk of developing HPV-related cancer may be offered HPV testing on a case-by-case basis.
Mr Mahantesh Karoshi is an esteemed consultant gynaecologist. You can schedule an appointment with Mr Karoshi on his Top Doctors profile.