Hong Kong Doctors Urge Gender-Neutral HPV Vaccination as Male Throat Cancer Rates Climb
On.cc · 5 SOURCESabout 17 hours ago5 MIN
Summary
The Hong Kong Chinese Medical Association revealed on September 5 that HPV-related oropharyngeal cancer rates have doubled over the past decade, with tonsil cancer HPV positivity surging nearly threefold. Medical experts warned that male patients face greater difficulty clearing HPV infections and may require severe treatments including jawbone surgery. The association called on parents to vaccinate both sons and daughters before sexual debut, noting current government subsidies cover only girls.
Key Points
- The proportion of oropharyngeal cancer patients carrying high-risk HPV strains rose from approximately 20% (2005-2009) to nearly 40% (2016-2020), while tonsil cancer HPV positivity jumped from about 25% to over 60% .
- A CUHK study of 634 Hong Kong Chinese head and neck cancer patients found an overall HPV infection rate of 23.5%, with oropharyngeal cancer showing the highest HPV burden at 37.6% .
- Dr. Chan Ying-kuen (陳英權), CUHK Department of Otorhinolaryngology Chairman, warned that advanced oropharyngeal tumors may require open surgery involving mandible resection, causing difficulty swallowing, trismus, and potential jawbone necrosis .
- Research shows males generate weaker antibody responses to HPV, with low seroconversion rates even after infection, leaving them more susceptible to persistent infection and related cancers .
- Currently the government's childhood immunization program subsidizes HPV vaccination only for girls; experts recommend all children aged 9-14 receive the vaccine before sexual debut .
Why It Matters
The sharp rise in HPV-related throat cancers among Hong Kong men highlights a critical gap in the city's cancer prevention strategy, as nearly 90% of oral HPV infections can be prevented through male vaccination. Expanding gender-neutral HPV vaccination could substantially reduce long-term healthcare costs while protecting future generations from invasive treatments and lifelong complications .
The sharp rise in HPV-related throat cancers among Hong Kong men highlights a critical gap in the city's cancer prevention strategy, as nearly 90% of oral HPV infections can be prevented through male vaccination. Expanding gender-neutral HPV vaccination could substantially reduce long-term healthcare costs while protecting future generations from invasive treatments and lifelong complications .