HPV Vaccine: Doctors Fail To Recommend HPV Shot For US Boys

Every child is encouraged to get HPV vaccine for protection, but it seems that not everyone was able to get it. Most boys in the United States are not receiving this cancer-preventing HPV vaccine, mainly because doctors either failed to recommend it or explain its benefits to parents, according to a new study.

HPV vaccine can prevent 9 out of 10 cases of cancer that may affect the tongue, throat and cervix, The Daily Beast reports. But how come, medical professionals seem to lack the spirit in encouraging their patients to take it?

According to a new study published in the journal Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, doctors are not communicating efficiently in encouraging patients to receive the vaccine against human papillomavirus (HPV). This virus causes warts and certain strains that are significant in developing cervical cancer.

In fact, according to U.S. News, an estimated of 26,000 new cancers are attributed to HPV, including 9,000 in men. HPV causes nearly all cervical and anal cancers. The same virus is behind 70 percent of throat cancer, three-quarters of vaginal cancers and 63 percent of cancers in the penis.

Currently, about 79 million are inflicted with HPV and 14 million people will be infected each year.

HPV vaccines are recommended for both girls and boys ages 11 to 12 years old. Unfortunately, not enough doctors with patients at that age recommend the vaccine strongly enough.

Without HPV vaccination, one may face infection with sexually transmitted HPV that can be a leading cause of multiple cancers, experts warned.

The report suggests that most parents often failed to get the HPV vaccine for their boys because their health provider did not recommend it. This reason was provided by 24 percent parents with sons aged 13 to 17 years old who had not received the shot when they were asked as part of the CDC's annual survey on teen vaccination.

Meanwhile, 16 percent disclosed their lack of knowledge about it, 7 percent had safety concerns and 19 percent felt the vaccine was not necessary.

"We need to work with health care providers so they are making strong recommendations and communicating with their patients about the need for this vaccine," said Shannon Stokley, co-author and associate director of science at the CDC's immunization services division.

Initially, HPV vaccines are recommended for girls only to protect them against cervical cancer. In 2011, the vaccine was recommended for boys as well.

CDC statistics shows that about 42 percent of boys between 13 to 17 received at least one dose of HPV vaccine in 2014. There was about an increase of one-third from 2013. Meanwhile, only 21.6 percent of boys receive the full three-dose HPV vaccine series in 2014.

Parents should keep themselves knowledgeable about the HPV vaccine. For those with safety concerns, watch the video below to decide if your child should get the HPV vaccine.