#HPVVaccine

A groundbreaking study from the National Institutes of Health in the United States has confirmed for the first time that a form of human papillomavirus (HPV) commonly found on the skin—beta HPV—can directly cause skin cancer in individuals with severely weakened immune systems. The findings, published recently in the New England Journal of Medicine, have significant implications for how some skin cancers may develop and reinforce the importance of vigilant health monitoring in immunocompromised populations. For Thai readers, this development is particularly relevant given the rising rates of both non-melanoma skin cancer and immunosuppressive conditions in the region.

Amid rising cancer rates worldwide and particularly in Thailand, the latest expert guidance on reducing cancer risk—outlined by a leading oncologist in the Washington Post—reinforces a growing body of research linking lifestyle and preventive action to powerful protective effects. This advice, supported by studies that span continents, medical practices, and Thai experience, holds fresh relevance as innovative screening methods and vaccination programs evolve in the kingdom.

Cancer is one of the most burdensome diseases in Thailand, responsible for thousands of new cases and fatalities each year. Thailand’s National Cancer Institute notes that cancer was the leading cause of death in the nation for the past decade, claiming more than 80,000 lives annually (UICC). As medical strategies shift from treatment to prevention, Thai readers have the opportunity to benefit from a science-backed toolset—ranging from dietary tweaks and exercise to specific cancer screenings and vaccines—that dramatically cuts cancer risk.

A recent report on cancer prevention trends in the United States has delivered both hopeful and concerning findings: while smoking rates continue their historic decline, vaccination rates against human papillomavirus (HPV)—a leading cause of cervical and other cancers—have stalled. This research carries important lessons for Thailand, where cancer remains a leading cause of death and where public health campaigns must juggle both familiar and emerging risks (CNN, 2025).

The continued drop in smoking rates is seen as a major victory for US public health. Decades of anti-smoking campaigns, policy changes, and increased public awareness have pushed adult smoking rates in the US to all-time lows. Globally, the World Health Organization (WHO) points to similar downward trends in high- and some middle-income countries, though progress is uneven. In Thailand, while smoking rates have decreased somewhat—especially among women and urban youth—a significant portion of the male population still uses tobacco products. According to the Ministry of Public Health, about 17% of Thais over 15 are smokers, higher than the current US adult smoking rate of around 11% (Thai National Statistics Office, 2023; CDC, 2024). This positions the new US numbers as benchmarks for Thai policymakers, especially as tobacco-related cancers continue to challenge the country’s healthcare system.