HPV was never just a women problem. And oral sex is one reason more men need to know this. In the US, HPV related throat cancers in men have become more common than HPV caused cervical cancers in women. The HPV vaccine is not just for girls. It works best before sexual contact, but adults up to 45 may still be eligible. Same virus. Different cancer. HPV does not care about your gender.

The HPV vaccine has reduced cervical cancer deaths to near zero in key age groups. A major study in England has shown that girls who received the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine at ages 12 to 13 now face an almost nonexistent risk of dying from cervical cancer before age 30. These results offer the strongest evidence to date that the vaccine does more than prevent infections and precancerous lesions, it is actively saving lives. Between 2020 and 2024, not a single cervical cancer death was recorded among women aged 20 to 24 in England. Scientists estimate that approximately 23 deaths would have occurred in this group without the national HPV vaccination program. The program began offering the vaccine to schoolgirls in 2008. Since then, researchers calculate it has already prevented around 200 cervical cancer deaths in England, with far greater numbers expected as vaccinated generations age. HPV is a very common virus transmitted through intimate skin-to-skin contact. While most infections resolve naturally, persistent cases can lead to cervical cancer. In fact, HPV is responsible for roughly 99 percent of all cervical cancer cases. Experts note that this sharp decline in deaths is only the start. As more vaccinated individuals reach the peak ages for cervical cancer, the impact is projected to increase significantly. Vaccination is not a complete solution on its own. Regular cervical screening continues to play a vital role, as the vaccine does not protect against every cancer-causing HPV strain. The World Health Organization aims to eliminate cervical cancer as a public health problem. These promising results suggest that goal is achievable if high vaccination coverage and screening programs are maintained. [Sasieni P, Falcaro M. Cervical cancer mortality trends following HPV vaccination in England, 2001–24: an analysis of population-based mortality data. The Lancet. Published online June 17, 2026. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(26)00918-9]

People vaccinated against HPV have lower risk of head and neck cancer, study suggests An analysis of 1.4 million medical records finds vaccination tied to a lower risk of head and neck tumors. Read more: 📷: Heather Hazzan/Self magazine

Many moms ask me about the HPV vaccine for their children, and I always tell them the same thing: this is a very personal decision. My role as a physician is not to make that choice for you, but to help you understand both the potential benefits and the limitations so you can make an informed decision that aligns with your family's values and circumstances. The HPV vaccine can reduce the risk of infection from certain strains of HPV that are associated with cervical cancer, other genital cancers, and genital warts. It appears to be most effective when given before exposure to the virus. Like any medical intervention, however, it is not completely without risk. Fortunately, the vast majority of reported side effects are mild and temporary, such as soreness at the injection site, fatigue, or a low-grade fever. Because HPV is primarily transmitted through sexual activity, a person who remains abstinent or is in a lifelong mutually monogamous relationship has a much lower likelihood of acquiring the virus. For that reason, I generally see the greatest potential benefit in individuals who are, or are expected to become, sexually active. Every child, every family, and every situation is different, which is why I believe these conversations should be individualized rather than one-size-fits-all. Medicine is at its best when it respects both science and personal choice. Ask questions, review the evidence, discuss your concerns with a physician you trust, and make the decision that feels right for your family. My goal is always to provide honest, balanced information—not pressure—so that parents can decide with confidence.

She's the Mexican scientist who just rewrote the rules on one of the world's most common viruses. After 20 years of relentless research at Mexico's Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Dr. Gallegos pulled off something the medical world hadn't seen before. She wiped out HPV. Completely. Her weapon? A non-invasive technique called photodynamic therapy — no scalpels, no chemo, no chemotherapy aftermath. Here's how it works. A drug called delta-aminolevulinic acid is applied to the cervix. It transforms into a fluorescent compound that only sticks to damaged cells. Healthy cells flush it out. Then a beam of light is aimed at the area — and the infected cells get destroyed on the spot. Healthy tissue? Untouched. The numbers are wild. In 29 women in Mexico City who had HPV without lesions, the virus was eliminated in 100% of cases. In the broader study across Oaxaca and Veracruz, 420 more women were treated — with 64.3% success in those carrying both HPV and premalignant lesions, and 57.2% in those with lesions alone. This matters more than people realise. HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection on the planet. Around 80% of women will catch some form of it in their lifetime. It's behind nearly every case of cervical cancer worldwide. And until now, there was no cure. Only vaccines and screenings. Dr. Gallegos changed that conversation. Quietly. From a lab in Mexico City. Without the global spotlight she deserves. One woman. Two decades. A breakthrough that could save millions. Source: Instituto Politécnico Nacional (IPN), Mexico City — research led by Dr. Eva Ramón Gallegos