Study: Half of Men May Have HPV

Half of men in the general population may be infected with human papillomavirus, or HPV, the virus that causes women to develop cervical cancer, according to a study released Monday. When spread to women through sex, HPV can lead to cervical cancer, but it can cause anal, penile, head, and neck cancers in men. As a result of these findings, U.S. vaccine advisers are debating whether to vaccinate boys and young men against HPV, as is recommended for young women and girls. Right now, all girls and women between the ages of 11 and 26 are recommended to get the HPV vaccine, Gardasil, and doctors are free to vaccinate men and boys as well if they chose.