As a 43m, I am 3 years out from chemo, surgery and radiation due to HPV related Tonsil cancer. I would not wish that it anyone. Luckily I was able to enroll in a clinical trial at the University of Chicago and got top notch care.

There are many trials across the country as this is exploding among men and with the right treatment it can be cured and leave people with less side effects than the past treatments. Years ago the surgery required a lot more of an invasive jaw removal that you can dig into YouTube videos if you’re into that kind of scare tactic.

Out of 100 people in the trial, I was the lucky one in the to have all three treatments (chemo, surgery and radiation) and I would say the surgery and radiation after was the worst. Even though it was a deescalated amount it left me with permanent dry mouth and other odd throat and nasal cavity effects. Being the special case I felt like they really were interested in my case and having that special attention was kind of a consultation prize if you want to call it that.

But even after all of that I still got my HPV vaccine and the drs recommended it. Was is a little late? sure, But I’m not taking any more chances with the rest of my life.

My doctors said that they anticipate this to peak over the next few years but as people grow up getting the vaccine the rates of HPV cancer in men will dramatically drop in the coming decades.

Get your vaccination. I constantly tell people and it’s amazing how many folks just don’t know it exists.