In the past several years, the FDA has approved new immunizations in an effort to prevent various illnesses, including sexually transmitted diseases that could result in cancer.  Once such vaccine, Gardasil, is “currently is approved for use in girls and women ages 9 through 26 for the prevention of cervical, vulvar and vaginal cancer caused by HPV types 16 and 18; precancerous lesions caused by types 6, 11, 16, and 18; and genital warts caused by types 6 and 11.”  In October 2009, the Food and Drug Administration announced that it approved the use of Gardasil vaccine for boys/men between the ages of 9 and 26 years of age, as well.

According to About.com, in providing Gardasil vaccines to young men, “the result would likely be:

  • less spreading of HPV
  • hopefully, fewer cases of cervical cancer in women
  • perhaps, a decrease in other types of cancer”

HPV can cause genital warts in men that may lead to several types of cancer, including oral, penile and anal cancers.

As with most new immunizations, it can take up to a year for this to process through to the insurance companies before they create policies to cover the vaccines.  At this point, Gardasil is covered by most health plans for girls and young women; however, the same is not true for boys and young men.  The Gardasil vaccine is quite expensive and requires a serious of three vaccines over a six month period that could cost in the range of $650-800 for the entire series.  It is recommended that you verify with your health plan, beforehand, whether or not they cover this vaccine, especially for the male gender.  If they do not cover this vaccine, it will result in the cost being transferred to patient responsibility.

FDA announcement:  http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm187003.htm

About.com:  http://cancer.about.com/od/hpvvaccine/a/hpv_vaccine_boys.htm