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Canadian men are seeing a dramatic spike in cancer caused by the sexually transmitted human papilloma virus. In a report released by the Canadian Cancer society it was revealed that over the last two decades, mouth and throat cancers increased by over 55% in men and 17% in women. They now represent about one third of all HPV caused cancers in the country. The spike in cancer is hitting middle aged men the hardest, although it is not known why.
“These are men who would have contracted the infection before the vaccine was ever around. Which is why this vaccine is presenting such a great opportunity to prevent a cancer that we weren’t able to prevent before.” Leah Smith, Canadian Cancer Society.
The vaccine for the untreatable HPV has only been around for about a decade. This year will be the first time it is offered at no cost to boys as well as girls in Ontario schools. The sexually transmitted virus also causes cervical, anal, vaginal and penile cancers.
According to the Canadian Cancer Society, about 75% of Canadians will catch HPV in their lifetime but only a small percentage of them will develop cancer because of it. In most individuals they won’t develop any symptoms or have any health consequences and will clear the infection on their own within one to two years. The vaccine is most effective in young people whose bodies react more strongly to the vaccine, but it is also approved for adults at a cost of around $400.
