Hpv vaccine

Vicwil 20 days ago

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Hello,

I Was diagnosed with anal cancer last year at age 40 and finished treatment in October 2025. HPV-16 was detected. I have also many years ago had precancerous cells on a smear which were excised. Since then my smears have been clear.

I was too old to have the hpv vaccine when it first came out and I am aware that having the vaccine now would not treat any persistent hpv in my system, however I have read that there is evidence to suggest it can prevent cancer recurrence as well as protect against new strains. I asked my cancer nurse about this who consulted my oncologist but the response was very unclear. She said there is some evidence for it preventing future precancerous changes but are not advising people to have it after treatment for anal cancer. This has left me really confused. I am aware up to age 45 I can pay for this privately so this is an option but don’t want to do it if it may have a detrimental effect?. Has anyone else had the vaccine following treatment or know if it is a good idea or not?

Irene75359 20 days ago

Hello Vicwil

In answer to to your questions, no and no. But I find this really interesting as my history (although I was never told HPV was present years ago or with the anal cancer) similar to yours. I had a smear with abnormalities and had a conical biopsy but all I was told at the time was that I had CIN III but then went on to develop anal cancer 40 years later. Everything I have found out since has been what I have learned on here.

I can understand you wanting to find out if the vaccine would have some sort of prophylactic effect for future recurrence and hope that you have more responses to help you, sorry I can't help.

Irene xx

Bungle1 20 days ago

Hi Vicwil

In answer to your questions im no and no, but like Irene75359 i find this interesting as its not something i had thought about. I also had cancerous cells after a smear years ago. Ive been on dr google and quite a few reputable sites say its a good idea. Im gonna speak to my oncologist about at my next appointment. X

Nikki65 20 days ago

Hi Vicwil , unfortunately it’s another no & no from me in response to your question.

Honestly I’ve never looked into having the vaccination, I’ve never had any issues previously with smear tests, over all of the years I’ve been having them thankfully all results have been normal, I was advised by my colorectal surgeon to have a smear test prior to my local resection to remove my cancer which also came back clear. When I asked at my final discharge appointment if my cancer was HPV related (none of my treating team or the people than ran the clinical trial I was involved in had ever mentioned it being HPV driven) I was told they don’t test as it doesn’t change treatment or outcomes! So I’m still blissfully unaware if it was HPV related. I know that the advise people receive from the medical field can differ but on the advise of my medical team I continue to have smear tests of which I’ve received normal results post treatment.

I’ll be watching this thread with interest to see if others have gone on to have the vaccination or been given more information about it.

Nicola

Poppydays2 17 days ago

Hi Vicwil,

I am in the process of getting the HPV vaccination (I've had two of three shots). My gynecologist suggested it, saying that there is some evidence that the vaccine protects those with cervical dysplasia from progressing to cervical cancer and that I should consider it after treatment for anal cancer to possibly prevent recurrence. She said the evidence is not yet at the level that would lead to routine recommendation for anal cancer patients, but that the risk of the vaccine was low and if there was benefit, it would be worth it. She also told me I might have to pay for the vaccine out of pocket and the decision was mine whether to get the vaccine. I elected to proceed.

I should note that I live in the United States and I am in my late 50s. Hope this helps!

Vicwil 17 days ago in reply to Poppydays2

Thank you for the response. I have received a similar response from my cancer nurse. She said there is evidence to suggest it may prevent precancerous cells in the future but trials etc are currently ongoing so as of yet not enough evidence to allow it to be given on nhs. I am in the process of looking into getting the jab anyway privately. I was told I would need 2 doses.

Poppydays2 16 days ago in reply to Vicwil

I'm not sure why they insist on three doses in the US, but seems like there are always differences in treatment/medical recommendations between countries. Let me know how it goes, and here's hoping there is benefit to the jab!

Tez 9 days ago

I’m very interested in this thread. When I asked my oncologist about getting the HPV vaccination (I’m 64 and have never had one), my oncologist said he couldn’t see it would hurt, even though it might not make any difference in the future - certainly sitting on the fence on that one then! I’m amazed that there isn’t any definitive research into this.

Vicky84 9 days ago

Hi Vicwil,

The answer to both your questions is no.

In October 2022, during a routine check-up, precancerous cells (CIN II) were discovered, and I tested positive for HPV‑16. The affected tissue was removed through conization. In 2023, I completed all three doses of the HPV vaccine.

In October 2025, I was diagnosed with anal cancer, staged T2N0M0. Coming to terms with this has brought up a lot of difficult emotions, especially the realization that the cancer likely developed from the original HPV infection identified in 2022. It’s incredibly frustrating and painful to think that there is no standard follow‑up protocol, such as regular anoscopy or targeted screening, for people known to carry high‑risk HPV types like HPV‑16.

Knowing that the vaccine I received in 2023 did not prevent the cancer or lessen its symptoms has been hard to accept. The pain I experienced was overwhelming at times, but in hindsight, it may have also played a role in helping the cancer be detected before it had a chance to spread.

Vicwil 5 days ago in reply to Vicky84

I am sorry to hear this and yes I do wish there was more tht could be done to keep an eye on any persistent underlying hpv that has previously been detected. I worry I am sat on a ticking time bomb and there’s not a lot that I can do about it.

Are you based in the UK? i have just had the first dose of the jab this week but there seems to be mixed instructions as to how many doses should be given. The pharmacist wasn’t sure as nhs website says 2 is enough but the instructions with the jab say 3. I have rung my cancer nurse to see which applies to myself.

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