Late-Stage Diagnosis of HPV-Associated Cancers in Hispanic Males

Context: Hispanic males have largely been excluded from research pertaining to human papillomavirus (HPV)- related cancers.

Study Design & Outcome Measures: This population-based retrospective cohort study examined differences in late-stage diagnosis of HPV-related cancers (oropharyngeal, anorectal, or penile) among subgroups of Hispanic males in the U.S (n=9,242) using multivariable logistic regression modeling.

Results: There were no differences in late-stage diagnosis of oropharyngeal cancer between Hispanic subgroups. Higher odds of late-stage penile cancers were observed among Mexican and Puerto Rican males relative to European Spanish males. Lower odds of late-stage anorectal cancers were observed among Central or South American and Puerto Rican males. Having Medicaid or no insurance were associated with late-stage diagnosis for all cancers.

Conclusions: These findings call for improved efforts to increase HPV vaccine uptake and completion among Hispanic males. Efforts to improve health care access and early detection from health care providers (e.g., primary care, dentists) are needed.