McIver Introduces Bill to Develop a Standardized HPV Test for Men

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman LaMonica McIver (NJ-10) introduced the Closing the HPV Testing Gap Act, a bill to direct a comprehensive study leading to the development of an HPV (Human Papillomavirus) diagnostic test for men. There is no FDA-approved HPV test for men. Men can carry and transmit HPV. This bill would begin the work needed to close this gap by paving the way for a standardized, noninvasive test for men. Reps. Troy A. Carter, Sr. (LA-02), Rob Menendez, Jr. (NJ-08), and Marc Veasey (TX-33) are co-leading this bill.

HPV is the most commonly sexually transmitted infection in the United States, causing approximately 13 million infections each year. The absence of a male diagnostic pathway leads to sustained transmission patterns that directly impact women, particularly through increased cervical cancer risk and delayed detection in female patients.

“For too long, women have been forced to deal with the consequences of a major gap in our healthcare system—the lack of a standardized male test for HPV,” said McIver. “HPV impacts millions of Americans every year, but there is still no approved test for men. That’s causing delayed detection and preventable cancers. People deserve the studies and tests needed to protect themselves and their loved ones. That’s why I’m introducing the Closing the HPV Testing Gap Act to help develop a reliable, noninvasive HPV test for men and close a gap that has put women’s health at risk for too long.”

“The Closing the HPV Testing Gap Act addresses a critical need in our nation’s cancer prevention strategy by advancing research into standardized, noninvasive HPV testing for men,” said Carter, the Co-Chair of the Congressional Men’s Health Caucus. “Expanding early detection and prevention tools is essential to reducing HPV-related cancers, limiting transmission, strengthening protections for women’s health, and building a more equitable public health system. I want to thank my friend Rep. McIver for her leadership on this important legislation.”

“As a Co-Chair of the Men’s Health Caucus, I am proud to co-lead the Closing the HPV Testing Gap Act,” said Menendez, also a Co-Chair of the Congressional Men’s Health Caucus. “I am joining Reps. McIver, Carter Sr., and Veasey in this effort because our national HPV prevention strategy has overlooked a serious gap for far too long, affecting both men and women. I am committed to working to close this gap and supporting a health care system that works for all Americans.”

“Women should not bear the burden of HPV prevention alone,” said Veasey. “Without an FDA-approved HPV test for men, we are missing a critical opportunity to reduce transmission and better protect women from cervical cancer and other HPV-related diseases. The Closing the HPV Testing Gap Act will help us better understand how noninvasive testing for men can strengthen prevention, improve early detection, and build a more equitable approach to cancer prevention.”

“The National Consumers League applauds Congresswoman LaMonica McIver and Representatives Troy A. Carter Sr., Rob Menendez Jr., and Marc Veasey for introducing legislation to address a critical gap in our nation’s HPV prevention strategy,” said Sally Greenberg, Chief Executive Officer, National Consumers League. “While women have long borne the burden of HPV-related screening and follow-up care, the absence of an FDA-approved HPV test for men has left an important piece of the prevention puzzle missing. Advancing research into noninvasive HPV testing for men could help reduce transmission of high-risk HPV strains, strengthen early detection efforts, and support a more equitable and comprehensive approach to cancer prevention. We are encouraged to see lawmakers champion science-driven solutions that have the potential to improve public health outcomes for both women and men.”

“HPV cancer prevention starts with knowledge, and it’s our belief that the activities sponsored by this bill will raise awareness of the virus along with the myriad cancers it can cause, and, importantly, underline that anyone who’s been sexually active can be affected, regardless of gender,” said Becca Karpinski, President and CEO, American Sexual Health Association. “It’s called the human papillomavirus for a reason; almost everyone who has sex contracts HPV at some point, though most never know. We encourage everyone with questions to speak with their health care provider about HPV and other sexually transmitted infections: everyone deserves good sexual health, and this is a welcomed opportunity to expand our conversations to include those assigned male gender at birth.”

“As HPV-associated cancers continue to increase, particularly head and neck cancers in men, it is absolutely critical that research and prevention infrastructure evolve alongside the disease burden,” said Isabella Johnson, MPH, Manager, HPV Education & Programming, HPV Cancers Alliance. “HPV Cancers Alliance is proud to support efforts to explore noninvasive HPV testing pathways and improve long-term cancer prevention strategies for everyone impacted by HPV.”

“The lack of a routine HPV screening test for men is a glaring gap in our healthcare system that undermines nationwide efforts in early cancer detection, prevention and intervention,” said Beth Battaglino, RN-C, CEO, HealthyWomen. “Closing this gap is critical to reducing the impact of HPV-associated cancers in both men and women. This legislation would take an important step toward strengthening early HPV detection, which alongside increasing HPV vaccination rates, will make a difference in truly addressing the six HPV-associated cancers.”

“Hyacinth AIDS Foundation is proud to endorse the Closing the HPV Testing Gap Act”, Axel Torres Marrero, Senior Director of Policy and Prevention.  Hyacinth Foundation. “We applaud all efforts to raise awareness and expand diagnosis and treatment of HPV. It is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States yet there is no FDA-approved HPV test for men, creating a significant gap in our national prevention strategy. The absence of a male diagnostic pathway leads to sustained transmission patterns that directly impact women with increased cervical cancer risk and delayed detection in female patients.”

“North Jersey Community Research Initiative (NJCRI) is proud to support this important legislation advancing research into noninvasive HPV testing for men,” said Brian McGovern, Chief Executive Officer, North Jersey Community Research Initiative. “HPV-related cancers continue to impact communities across the country, and the absence of approved diagnostic tools for men leaves a critical gap in prevention, early detection, and health equity efforts. By directing NIH to evaluate the feasibility of standardized male HPV testing, this bill represents a meaningful step toward reducing transmission, improving cancer prevention strategies, and strengthening public health outcomes for everyone. NJCRI applauds Representatives Carter, Menendez, and Veasey for their leadership on this issue.”

“As a survivor of HPV related tonsil cancer, I understand firsthand why early detection and screenings are critical for better outcomes,” said Jason T. Mendelsohn, Executive Board Member, Head & Neck Cancer Alliance. “I made videos to my three kids saying goodbye shortly after beginning radiation and chemo and have seen over a decade of advocacy work how people who delay going to their doctor have advanced disease and poor prognosis. This Bill is truly important, as it will save lives by identifying early, men with an HPV preventable cancer,  reducing the potential long term side effects from cancer treatment.”

“Without an FDA-approved HPV test for men, too many people are left without answers, while the burden of prevention and the consequences of delayed detection fall disproportionately on women,” said Nourbese Flint, President, All* Above All. “This legislation is an important step toward closing that gap, strengthening cancer prevention, and building a health care system rooted in equity, dignity, and shared responsibility. We urge Congress to advance this bill and ensure that HPV prevention reaches every community.”

The Closing the HPV Testing Gap Act would:

• Establish a study to create a standardized, non-invasive HPV test for men

• Reduce the spread of high-risk HPV strains to women by strengthening early detection and prevention systems.

• Address and reduce existing disparities in HPV-related health outcomes.

The Bill is endorsed by: Head & Neck Cancer Alliance, American Sexual Health Association, HPV Cancers Alliance, North Jersey Community Research Initiative, Rutgers Cancer Institute, TogetHER for Health, Healthy Women, National Consumers League, Hyacinth, All Above All, Healthy Men, Inc.

Full text of the Closing the HPV Testing Gap Act can be found here.