Jakarta. Indonesian men remain largely unaware of the risks posed by Human Papillomavirus (HPV), a virus still widely misunderstood as a women-only health issue, despite medical evidence showing it affects both genders and can lead to serious diseases.

Health experts say this perception gap is limiting prevention efforts, particularly vaccination, which has been proven effective in reducing HPV infections and preventing several types of cancer.

Public awareness campaigns launched in recent years have helped shift perceptions, but specialists warn that coverage remains uneven and men are still underrepresented in prevention strategies.

Dermatologist and venereologist Hani Nilasari said HPV is not limited to cervical cancer and can affect multiple organs in both men and women.

“HPV can affect both the skin and genital areas, and this is not just a women’s issue,” she said.

She added that while some infections resolve naturally, high-risk HPV types can persist and develop into cancer if left untreated. Many infected individuals, particularly men, show no symptoms and remain unaware of their condition.

Globally, about one in three men over the age of 15 is estimated to be infected with HPV, indicating what experts describe as "a significant but underrecognized health burden."

HPV is linked to roughly 1.5 million new cancer cases annually worldwide, including cancers of the cervix, anus, penis, vulva, and throat. Throat cancer alone is reported to occur significantly more often in men, with an estimated 18,000 cases each year.

Symptoms may include persistent sores, unexplained lumps, bleeding, or recurring infections. However, unlike women, there is currently no routine screening program for men, leading to delayed diagnosis in many cases. Risk is also considered higher among uncircumcised men.

Nilasari said that vaccination remains the most effective preventive measure, but uptake among men in Indonesia is still low due to limited awareness and misconceptions about side effects.

“Awareness about HPV must be strengthened. Many still believe it is only a women’s issue, even though men are also at risk,” she said.

HPV vaccination has been shown to significantly reduce infection rates and precancerous lesions, offering protection for both sexes. Experts say the most urgent focus should be young adults, particularly those aged 25 to 29, where infection rates are highest.

Supporting this, Hartono Gunardi, head of the Indonesian Pediatric Society (IDAI) Immunization Task Force, said HPV-related conditions are not confined to reproductive health.

“In ear, nose, and throat (ENT) cases, we also see children affected by laryngeal papilloma caused by HPV, which can lead to serious complications,” he said.

He also stressed the need to strengthen Indonesia’s surveillance systems to better measure the disease burden.

“Data in Indonesia still needs to be strengthened. Compared to countries like the United States, which have established recording systems, our data remains limited,” he said.

Improved data collection, experts argue, is essential for designing more effective public health policies and ensuring targeted HPV prevention programs in the future.