Non-melanoma skin cancers are the most common type of cancer by far. In the U.S., about 3.5 million cases are diagnosed each year, according to the American Cancer Society.

Experts say the best way to cut your risk of skin cancer is to limit your sun exposure, especially if you have fair skin. No one knows whether preventing HPV infection has any effect.

COULD VACCINES PLAY A ROLE?

For now, there are no “concrete practical implications” from the current findings, Kjaer said.

But if further studies confirm that HPV is associated with a broader range of cancers, that could underscore the importance of preventing the infection, according to Kjaer.

There are two vaccines that can prevent infection with certain cancer-related strains of HPV: Merck’s Gardasil and GlaxoSmithKline’s Cervarix, both of which cost about $400 for three doses. The current study was funded by Sanofi Pasteur, which sells Gardasil in Europe.

Right now, public health authorities recommend that all girls and boys ages 11 and 12 receive the HPV vaccine. Older girls and young women up to age 26 are advised to get “catch-up” shots if they’ve never been vaccinated. The same advice goes for boys and men ages 13 to 21.

The HPV vaccine is generally considered safe. The most common side effects are pain at the injection site, fever, dizziness and nausea, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

SOURCE: Journal of Infectious Diseases, online March 15, 2012