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Did you know males are at an equal risk of HPV as females? If you did you're in the minority

Two thirds of people don’t realise that males and females are at an equal risk of contracting a HPV infection.

shutterstock_1131160979 Shutterstock / Ravipat Shutterstock / Ravipat / Ravipat

NEARLY TWO THIRDS of people in Ireland are unaware that men have an equal chance of contracting a HPV infection.

Per new research by MSD Ireland, 63% of people here are unaware that males and females have an equal risk of the human papillomavirus (HPV).

HPV is a very common virus affecting the vast majority of sexually active men and women at some stage in their lives.

Most of the virus’s more than 100 variants are harmless. However some infections can cause certain kinds of cancer, such as cervical or anal.

As many as 420 cases of such cancers were caused by HPV in men and women in Ireland between 2010 and 2014.

The lack of knowledge regarding the virus is more heightened among males – almost nine in ten Irish men are unaware they will most likely contract the virus at some stage in their lives.

The research aims to raise awareness that HPV is an equal problem for both sexes, not just women.

Currently the national HPV immunisation programme offers vaccination from the virus to all girls in first year of secondary school. Adults under 26 years of age are also entitled to the vaccination.

“HPV is responsible for a number of cancers in men and women, including anal cancer and cervical cancer. It is worrying to see such low levels of HPV awareness especially when it is possible to prevent certain types of HPV infection that could cause certain cancers,” said Professor Ray O’Sullivan, a consultant at St Luke’s Hospital in Kilkenny.

HPV infection is most common in people in their late teens and early 20s and we know that HPV infection rates are rising rapidly among women and men in high income countries like Ireland.

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    Mute Michael Farrell
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    Aug 21st 2013, 10:25 PM

    Why are Michaella and Melissa wearing each others clothes?

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    Mute Jamie McCormack
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    Aug 21st 2013, 11:37 PM

    Probably either that or prison-garb.. looks pretty grim for the two of them

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    Mute Nicola Kean
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    Aug 22nd 2013, 12:26 AM

    They clearly still have their heads in the clouds and don’t realise the gravity of the situation. I’d understand if they were changing into clean clothes, but it seems as if they just don’t want time be seen in the same outfit twice. Silly, silly, silly girls!!!

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    Mute Dixie1002
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    Aug 22nd 2013, 4:30 AM

    Such a silly comment Nicola. Because of the clothes they wear they have their heads stuck in the clouds and don’t realise the gravity of the situation?? I for one would hazard a guess they have a fair idea of the mess they are in.

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    Mute Reg
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    Aug 22nd 2013, 9:13 AM

    These girls passed through at least three airports on the way to Peru but said nothing to anyone.

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    Mute aaron mohan
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    Aug 21st 2013, 11:25 PM

    There holiday is well over now

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    Mute Charlotte Mann
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    Aug 21st 2013, 10:28 PM

    Got sick of wearing their own clothes for the past two weeks?

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    Mute Colin Foley
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    Aug 22nd 2013, 2:43 AM

    Keep in mind folk all this bullshite is in the main story in media night, noon and day to keep you distracted from things that affect YOUR life. Water meters, bank charges, data transference act, Serco buying out all traffic lights and wanting to privatize more roads for tolls etc etc.

    The illusion of the media is to make you look exactly where you are suppose to look, exactly like a magician.

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    Mute Stephen Doyle
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    Aug 22nd 2013, 12:41 AM

    Does the bun have its own twitter account like Dáithí Ó Sé’s “beard”?

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    Mute Tiger Bay
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    Aug 21st 2013, 10:50 PM

    Audrey Hepburn just called – she’s looking her bun hairstyle back

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    Mute Stephen Mc Donagh
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    Aug 22nd 2013, 8:34 AM

    Is there anything to be said for another mass?

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