HPV And Oropharyngeal Cancer
Oral cancer can come as a big surprise for some people, as it did for a father of four recently in Canada. Most people equate oral cancer with smoking, but it can also be caused by HPV (the human papillomavirus). A recent report released by the Canadian Cancer Society indicates that oropharyngeal cancer has risen dramatically among men due to HPV. HPV is a sexually transmitted disease. Once infected the virus lasts for about two years, but in a small percentage of those infected it can persist and lead to cancer, including oral, cervical, genital, and anal cancers.
HPV
According to the Canadian report, the incidence of oral cancer due to HPV rose 17 percent in females and 56 percent in males between 1992 and 2012. It's been estimated that in 2012 about 1,300 Canadians were diagnosed with HPV-linked oropharyngeal cancers. This year, nearly 4,400 Canadians will be diagnosed and an estimated 1,200 will die from the disease.
The most common sexually transmitted disease throughout the world, HPV infects moist skin, namely genital and oral mucosa. The most susceptible, according to the head of oncology at McGill University in Montreal and an expert on the pathogen, is the oral tissue around the tonsils and at the base of the tongue.
Early Detection
Professional cancer screenings and monthly at-home follow-ups can dramatically increase your chances of successful early detection and treatment. When detected early, oral cancer treatment is 80 to 90 percent effective. Your dentist can help with early detection. At each of your biannual dental visits, Dr. Hutto will thoroughly examine your mouth, gums, tongue, palate, and throat tissues. He will also show you how to perform monthly self-examinations at home.