Do You Identify as a Man Who Has Sex with Men (MSM)? We Want to Hear from You!
Sahir and One Wirral are running a short community survey to understand how men who have sex with men (MSM) view the HPV vaccine and what might be getting in the way of people accessing it. HPV affects many people, but MSM often face unique barriers to information, screening, and vaccination — and we want to change that.
At Sahir, we know that good sexual health is part of living well. Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is something that affects most people at some stage in their lives, yet it is not often talked about.
This page has been written for people living with HIV and for LGBTQ+ people of all genders. It explains what HPV is, why it matters, and what you can do to look after your health.
What is HPV?
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a very common group of viruses. Most sexually active people will get HPV at some point in their lives. In most cases, the body clears it naturally and it causes no problems.
Some types of HPV can cause genital warts. Other types can lead to cell changes that, over time, may cause cancers such as cervical, anal, penile, or throat cancer.
How HPV spreads
HPV spreads from person to person on the skin during sex. It passes easily from person to person during any type of sexual contact, including oral sex, skin to skin genital contact, or sharing sex toys. The virus can live on the skin around the whole genital area.
Condoms and dental dams reduce the risk but do not remove it completely. The best ways to protect yourself are through HPV vaccination and regular screening.
HPV can affect all sexual orientations and anyone who has ever been sexually active.
Information for people living with HIV
Why this matters
If you are living with HIV, your body may find it harder to clear HPV. This means infections can last longer and sometimes cause cell changes that increase the risk of certain cancers.
Regular screening, vaccination, and early treatment all make a difference.
What to do
• Stay up to date with your HIV care and medication
• Attend screening appointments. If you have a cervix, you should have cervical screening every year. Make sure your sample form mentions HIV
• Ask about HPV vaccination. Many HIV and sexual health clinics offer it to eligible people up to age 45
• Report new symptoms early. For example, bleeding after sex, bleeding from the back passage, unusual discharge, new lumps or warts, or any new pain
Information for LGBTQ+ people
Why this matters
HPV affects everyone, women, men, and people of all genders and sexualities.
Some groups have a higher risk of certain HPV related cancers, including:
• Gay, bi, and other men who have sex with men
• Women, including cis & trans women, who have anal sex
• Trans women and trans men
• Non binary people
• Anyone who has receptive anal sex
• Women who have sex with women, HPV can still be passed through skin contact
What to do
• If you have a cervix, attend cervical screening when invited. If you have not had an invite, you can still book with your GP or local sexual health clinic
• Ask about HPV vaccination, available to young people through schools and, for adults, at many sexual health clinics
• Get checked if you notice bleeding, pain, new lumps or warts, or anything that feels unusual for you
Find out more about HPV
For more information, visit
• The Eve Appeal, information on gynaecological cancers
If you live in the Liverpool City Region, you can contact your local sexual health service or HIV clinic for advice about vaccination, screening, or symptoms.
If you have urgent concerns and cannot get an appointment quickly, call NHS 111 for advice.
Take part in our HPV research project with One Wirral
What the project aims to do:
Learn how MSM communities think and feel about HPV and the HPV vaccine
Understand barriers to getting vaccinated
Co-design an inclusive, accurate campaign that reflects real experiences
Feed these insights into a wider national Cancer Alliance campaign launching in 2026
Who can take part:
Anyone aged 16+ who identifies as a man who has sex with men (MSM).
What taking part involves:
Just complete a short online survey — it takes only a few minutes. You can scan the QR code provided or use the direct link below.
Key date:
Please complete the survey by Sunday 30th November.
How to take part:
Follow this link:
https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/28CYQI/
Data protection:
All responses are anonymous. No identifying information is collected, and your data will be stored securely in line with GDPR. Findings will be used only to shape local and national HPV awareness work.
Contact:
If you have any questions about the project, you can get in touch with Gill Clotworthy at gillian.clotworthy@sahir.org.uk.