HPV RELATED
DISEASES
& CANCERS
ALSO AFFECT
MALES

Human Papillomavirus, or HPV, is a common virus that is easily spread through direct skin-to-skin contact.^1–3 Anyone who has any kind of sexual activity involving genital contact could get genital HPV.^1–5 Genital HPV infection is not something to feel embarrassed or ashamed about. It’s very common and for a majority of people, the body’s defences are enough to clear the virus.^1,4,5

HOW WILL I KNOW IF I HAVE HPV?

Because HPV infection doesn’t usually show any signs, you probably won’t know you have it. Most people can therefore get HPV and pass it on without even knowing it.⁴

CONSEQUENCES OF HPV INFECTION

In most people, HPV is harmless and has no symptoms, but in some people the virus may persist and lead to disease of the genital area, including genital warts and cancers of the anus.^1,2,4,5

1. ATAGI. Australian Immunisation Handbook, 2023. Available at: immunisationhandbook.health.gov.au. Accessed March 2024. 2. CDC Genital HPV Infection - Basic Fact Sheet. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/std/ hpv/stdfact-hpv.htm. Accessed March 2024. 3. Australian Centre for the Prevention of Cervical Cancer. National Strategy for the elimination of cervical cancer in Australia November 2023. Available at: https:// www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/2023-11/national-strategy-for-the-elimination-of-cervical-cancer-inaustralia. pdf. Accessed March 2024. 4. Cancer Council. Understanding cervical Cancer. Available at: https:// www.cancer.org.au/assets/pdf/understanding-cervical-cancer-booklet Accessed March 2024. 5. NCIRS Human papillomavirus Factsheet 2023. Available at: https://ncirs.org.au/ncirs-fact-sheets-faqs/human-papillomavirusvaccine- australians. Accessed March 2024. 6. Better Health Channel. Genital warts. Available at: https:// www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/genital-warts. Accessed March 2024. 7. Healthline. Genital Warts FAQs. Available at: https://www.healthline.com/health/do-genital-warts-hurt#pain. Accessed March 2024. 8. Cancer Council. Understanding Anal Cancer. Available at: https://www.cancer.org.au/assets/pdf/ understanding-vulvar-cancer. Accessed March 2024. 9. Poynten IM et al. Papillomavirus Res. 2017;3:80–84. 10. Machalek DA et al. Lancet Oncol. 2012;13 (5):487–500. 11. Sauvageau C et al. Hum Vaccin Immunother. 2016;12(6):1560–1565. 12. Cancer Council. Types of Cancer - Anal Cancer. Available at: https:// www.cancer.org.au/cancer-information/types-of-cancer/anal-cancer. Accessed March 2024.

HPV

GENITAL WARTS

ANAL CANCERS

MEN WHO HAVE SEX WITH MEN

HPV RELATED DISEASES & CANCERS ALSO AFFECT MALES

HPV

Human Papillomavirus, or HPV, is a common virus that is easily spread through direct skin-to-skin contact.^1–3 Anyone who has any kind of sexual activity involving genital contact could get genital HPV.^1–5 Genital HPV infection is not something to feel embarrassed or ashamed about. It’s very common and for a majority of people, the body’s defences are enough to clear the virus.^1,4,5

HOW WILL I KNOW IF I HAVE HPV?

Because HPV infection doesn’t usually show any signs, you probably won’t know you have it. Most people can therefore get HPV and pass it on without even knowing it.⁴

CONSEQUENCES OF HPV INFECTION

In most people, HPV is harmless and has no symptoms, but in some people the virus may persist and lead to disease of the genital area, including genital warts and cancers of the anus.^1,2,4,5

1. ATAGI. Australian Immunisation Handbook, 2023. Available at: immunisationhandbook.health.gov.au. Accessed March 2024. 2. CDC Genital HPV Infection - Basic Fact Sheet. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/std/hpv/stdfact-hpv.htm. Accessed March 2024. 3. Australian Centre for the Prevention of Cervical Cancer. National Strategy for the elimination of cervical cancer in Australia November 2023. Available at: https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/2023-11/national-strategy-for-the-elimination-of-cervical-cancer-in-australia.pdf. Accessed March 2024. 4. Cancer Council. Understanding cervical Cancer. Available at: https://www.cancer.org.au/assets/pdf/understanding-cervical-cancer-booklet Accessed March 2024. 5. NCIRS Human papillomavirus Factsheet 2023. Available at: https://ncirs.org.au/ncirs-fact-sheets-faqs/human-papillomavirus-vaccine-australians. Accessed March 2024. 6. Better Health Channel. Genital warts. Available at: https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/genital-warts. Accessed March 2024. 7. Healthline. Genital Warts FAQs. Available at: https://www.healthline.com/health/do-genital-warts-hurt#pain. Accessed March 2024. 8. Cancer Council. Understanding Vaginal Cancer. Available at: https://www.cancer.org.au/assets/pdf/understanding-vaginal-cancers-booklet.Accessed March 2024. 9. Cancer Council. Understanding Vulvar Cancer. Available at: https://www.cancer.org.au/assets/pdf/understanding-vulvar-cancer. Accessed March 2024. 10. Cancer Council. Understanding Anal Cancer. Available at: https://www.cancer.org.au/assets/pdf/understanding-vulvar-cancer. Accessed March 2024.

GENITAL WARTS

ABOUT GENITAL WARTS

Genital warts are benign, flesh-coloured growths that are most often caused by certain “low-risk” types of HPV (types 6 and 11).^1,5–7

Genital warts most often appear on the external genitals or near the anus of males and females.⁶ Genital warts may cause symptoms such as burning, itching and pain.⁷ The types of HPV that cause genital warts are different from the “high-risk” types that can cause cancer.¹ After sexual contact with an infected person, genital warts may appear within weeks, months, or not at all.⁷

HOW ARE GENITAL WARTS DIAGNOSED?

A doctor can usually recognise genital warts just by seeing them.²

HOW ARE GENITAL WARTS TREATED?

Genital warts can disappear on their own without treatment; however, there’s no way of knowing if they will disappear or grow larger. Depending on size and location of the warts, there are several treatment options. A special cream or solution may be applied to the warts. Some genital warts can be removed by either freezing, burning, or using laser treatment. However, no matter the treatment, there’s a chance that genital warts will reappear after treatment, since the types of HPV that cause them may still be present.⁶

1. ATAGI. Australian Immunisation Handbook, 2023. Available at: immunisationhandbook.health.gov.au. Accessed March 2024. 2. CDC Genital HPV Infection - Basic Fact Sheet. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/std/hpv/stdfact-hpv.htm. Accessed March 2024. 3. Australian Centre for the Prevention of Cervical Cancer. National Strategy for the elimination of cervical cancer in Australia November 2023. Available at: https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/2023-11/national-strategy-for-the-elimination-of-cervical-cancer-in-australia.pdf. Accessed March 2024. 4. Cancer Council. Understanding cervical Cancer. Available at: https://www.cancer.org.au/assets/pdf/understanding-cervical-cancer-booklet Accessed March 2024. 5. NCIRS Human papillomavirus Factsheet 2023. Available at: https://ncirs.org.au/ncirs-fact-sheets-faqs/human-papillomavirus-vaccine-australians. Accessed March 2024. 6. Better Health Channel. Genital warts. Available at: https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/genital-warts. Accessed March 2024. 7. Healthline. Genital Warts FAQs. Available at: https://www.healthline.com/health/do-genital-warts-hurt#pain. Accessed March 2024. 8. Cancer Council. Understanding Vaginal Cancer. Available at: https://www.cancer.org.au/assets/pdf/understanding-vaginal-cancers-booklet.Accessed March 2024. 9. Cancer Council. Understanding Vulvar Cancer. Available at: https://www.cancer.org.au/assets/pdf/understanding-vulvar-cancer. Accessed March 2024. 10. Cancer Council. Understanding Anal Cancer. Available at: https://www.cancer.org.au/assets/pdf/understanding-vulvar-cancer. Accessed March 2024.

ANAL CANCER

ABOUT ANAL CANCER

Anal cancer is an uncommon cancer that affects both males and females. Infection with certain types of “high-risk” HPV is a risk factor for anal cancers as well as other risk factors, including cigarette smoking and immunodeficiency syndromes.⁸

HOW ARE ANAL CANCERS DIAGNOSED?

Anal cancer sometimes has no symptoms at first. Common symptoms can include bleeding and discomfort in the area. Other symptoms can include pain,itching, straining during a bowel movement, change in bowel habits, change in the diameter of the stool, discharge from the anus and swollen lymph nodes in the anal or groin area. A doctor may diagnose anal cancer using a number of tests such as a physical exam and history, digital rectal examination (DRE), anoscopy, proctoscopy, biopsy or ultrasound.⁸

HOW ARE ANAL CANCERS TREATED?

For patients diagnosed with anal cancers, the main treatment options are surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy.⁸

1. ATAGI. Australian Immunisation Handbook, 2023. Available at: immunisationhandbook.health.gov.au. Accessed March 2024. 2. CDC Genital HPV Infection - Basic Fact Sheet. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/std/hpv/stdfact-hpv.htm. Accessed March 2024. 3. Australian Centre for the Prevention of Cervical Cancer. National Strategy for the elimination of cervical cancer in Australia November 2023. Available at: https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/2023-11/national-strategy-for-the-elimination-of-cervical-cancer-in-australia.pdf. Accessed March 2024. 4. Cancer Council. Understanding cervical Cancer. Available at: https://www.cancer.org.au/assets/pdf/understanding-cervical-cancer-booklet Accessed March 2024. 5. NCIRS Human papillomavirus Factsheet 2023. Available at: https://ncirs.org.au/ncirs-fact-sheets-faqs/human-papillomavirus-vaccine-australians. Accessed March 2024. 6. Better Health Channel. Genital warts. Available at: https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/genital-warts. Accessed March 2024. 7. Healthline. Genital Warts FAQs. Available at: https://www.healthline.com/health/do-genital-warts-hurt#pain. Accessed March 2024. 8. Cancer Council. Understanding Vaginal Cancer. Available at: https://www.cancer.org.au/assets/pdf/understanding-vaginal-cancers-booklet.Accessed March 2024. 9. Cancer Council. Understanding Vulvar Cancer. Available at: https://www.cancer.org.au/assets/pdf/understanding-vulvar-cancer. Accessed March 2024. 10. Cancer Council. Understanding Anal Cancer. Available at: https://www.cancer.org.au/assets/pdf/understanding-vulvar-cancer. Accessed March 2024.

MEN WHO HAVE SEX WITH MEN

Men who have sex with men may be at increased risk of HPV infection, genital warts and anal cancer.¹

Men who have sex with men seem to be less likely to develop immunity after an infection with HPV type 16 - the HPV type most often linked to anal cancer.^1,9 In fact, men who have sex with men may be up to 20 times more likely to develop anal cancer,¹⁰ and 2-3 times more likely to develop genital warts than heterosexual males.¹¹

Prevention of HPV infection is an important consideration as there is currently no routine screening program for early detection of anal cancer.¹²

1. ATAGI. Australian Immunisation Handbook, 2023. Available at: immunisationhandbook.health.gov.au. Accessed March 2024. 2. CDC Genital HPV Infection - Basic Fact Sheet. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/std/hpv/stdfact-hpv.htm. Accessed March 2024. 3. Australian Centre for the Prevention of Cervical Cancer. National Strategy for the elimination of cervical cancer in Australia November 2023. Available at: https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/2023-11/national-strategy-for-the-elimination-of-cervical-cancer-in-australia.pdf. Accessed March 2024. 4. Cancer Council. Understanding cervical Cancer. Available at: https://www.cancer.org.au/assets/pdf/understanding-cervical-cancer-booklet Accessed March 2024. 5. NCIRS Human papillomavirus Factsheet 2023. Available at: https://ncirs.org.au/ncirs-fact-sheets-faqs/human-papillomavirus-vaccine-australians. Accessed March 2024. 6. Better Health Channel. Genital warts. Available at: https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/genital-warts. Accessed March 2024. 7. Healthline. Genital Warts FAQs. Available at: https://www.healthline.com/health/do-genital-warts-hurt#pain. Accessed March 2024. 8. Cancer Council. Understanding Vaginal Cancer. Available at: https://www.cancer.org.au/assets/pdf/understanding-vaginal-cancers-booklet.Accessed March 2024. 9. Cancer Council. Understanding Vulvar Cancer. Available at: https://www.cancer.org.au/assets/pdf/understanding-vulvar-cancer. Accessed March 2024. 10. Cancer Council. Understanding Anal Cancer. Available at: https://www.cancer.org.au/assets/pdf/understanding-vulvar-cancer. Accessed March 2024.