HPV vaccine cuts male HPV-related cancer risk, study finds

A large study published in JAMA Oncology on April 24, 2026, reports that boys and young men who received the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine had a markedly lower risk of developing HPV-related cancers than those who were not vaccinated. Researchers found vaccinated males faced about half the risk compared with unvaccinated peers, after adjusting the analysis.

The study drew on a global database that included over 615,000 males ages 9 to 26 who received the nonavalent HPV vaccine and more than 2 million unvaccinated individuals. After statistical adjustments, the comparison centered on roughly 500,000 people in each group. Across the analysis, vaccination was associated with a 46% reduction in the risk of HPV-related cancers among men.

Results varied by the age at vaccination. Among those vaccinated between ages 9 and 14, the study reported a 42% lower risk of HPV-related cancers. For those vaccinated between 15 and 26, the reduction was about 50%, according to the findings.

HPV is described as a common virus spread through intimate skin-to-skin contact, and nearly all sexually active people are exposed at some point. Most infections resolve without treatment, but persistent infection with high-risk HPV types can contribute to cancer development. In men, HPV is linked to cancers of the penis, anus, and head and neck, the study noted.

The report also highlighted how large a share of certain cancers is attributed to HPV. It said over 90% of anal cancers and approximately 70% of oropharyngeal (throat) cancers are attributed to HPV, along with more than 60% of penile cancers. These figures underscore why vaccination policies and uptake can matter for public health planning, including how health systems prioritize prevention strategies and allocate resources.

Historically, HPV vaccination programs were more heavily focused on girls and women because of the established connection between HPV and cervical cancer. Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women globally, a fact that shaped early vaccination efforts and public messaging. The new findings add evidence relevant to male vaccination decisions by linking vaccination in boys and young men to lower observed risk of HPV-related cancers.

While the study reports a strong association after statistical adjustments, the source material does not detail specific methods, follow-up duration, or remaining uncertainties beyond the adjusted comparison. Those details can influence how policymakers, clinicians, and payers interpret the strength and generalizability of the results across countries and health systems.