Many people may know the human papillomavirus (HPV) as being associated with cervical cancer risk and women.

But, as a new Ohio State survey shows, the majority of people are unaware that HPV affects men more commonly than women, and that it’s also associated with rising rates of other cancers, especially those that directly affect men.

What You Need To Know

  • Overall, the survey showed the majority of Americans don't have a good understanding of HPV
  • HPV tends to be more common in men than women, and it's linked to more cancers than just cervical
  • There are 42 million people with HPV in the U.S. and about 13 million Americans become infected with it each year

The survey aimed to understand just how much the public knew about HPV, mainly about how it’s spread and how it impacts cancer risk.

Overall, the researchers said it was clear respondents didn’t know much about it, and there are misperceptions about how it’s spread.

“We have a vaccine that has been shown to reduce the risk of HPV infection by up to 90%,” said Electra Pasket, a cancer control researcher at the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute (OSUCCC – James). “This is a powerful tool for cancer prevention that has only been available to us in the past few decades, and we are seeing the impact of those vaccines now through the scientific data.”

HPV misconceptions

The survey asked respondents to agree or disagree with basic statements about HPV to measure their knowledge of the subject.

For one, many thought the infection affects women more than men.

“This is concerning because more men are infected with HPV than women and they could unknowingly spread it to their partners,” said Paskett.

Other findings:

  • 45% of respondents said they didn’t known HPV was linked to more cancers than just cervical. It’s also linked to cancers that affect the tonsils, base of the throat and tongue, neck, esophagus, anus and genitals, researchers said.
  • 42% said they believed it was more common in women than men, whereas in reality, it’s the opposite. Researchers explained it’s because there is only a test for women.
  • 40% think there are symptoms with HPV if infected, but many people don’t have symptoms usually until they have cancer.

Paskett noted there’s an HPV vaccine that’s recommended for those between the ages of 9 to 12, but it’s also available for adults up to age 45.

Future concerns

In the U.S., there are 42 million people with HPV and about 13 million Americans become infected with it each year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states.

It spreads through sexual contact, and it can also spread through childbirth. The cells can change into cancer down the line.

Matthew Old, an OSUCCC – James head and neck surgeon, said the rate of HPV-related tonsil and tongue-based cancers has been concerning, and said if the trend continues, it could become one of the most common form of cancers for people aged 45 to 65.

“It can take years or even decades for the genetic changes caused by HPV to take effect and transform into cancer,” said Old. “Once exposed, there are currently no treatments for HPV infections, and many who are unvaccinated unknowingly carry and spread high-risk strains of the virus. That’s why vaccination is so important.”

To learn more about HPV, click here.

The survey was conducted by a national, twice-per-month, probability-based survey called the SSRS Opinion Panel Omnibus platform. The data was collected from 1,005 respondents between Feb. 7-9 — 975 surveys by web and 30 by phone. The margin of error was +/-3.8 percentage points with a 95% confidence level.