Doctors have been trying to spread the news that cervical cancer isn’t the only harmful consequence of the Human Papillomavirus, the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States.
Dr. Robert Haddad, director of Head and Neck Oncology at the Dana-Farber Cancer Center in Boston, Mass., said one of the leading causes of oral cancer in the United States is HPV 16 –– the same strain of HPV that can cause cervical cancer.
Of the 100-plus different strains of HPV that exist, HPV 16 is the strain that may lead to oral cancer if it transforms normal cells into abnormal, cancerous cells. More than 40 HPV types can infect the genitals, mouth and throat of males and females, and it is most often spread through genial contact and oral sex. HPV can manifest itself in the form of genital warts –– which will not turn into cancer –– or it could cause unnoticeable cell changes in the body.
When the body’s immune system can’t fight off HPV, genital warts or cancer may occur, said Wendy Simpkins, senior director of Media Relations at The American Cancer Society.
Hadded said the discovery of the correlation between oral cancer and HPV is fairly recent, still leaving many young adults unaware of the potential infection when engaging in oral sex.
“Of the cancers caused by HPV, oral cancer was more recently identified,” Hadded said, adding that it was about 10 years ago that the correlation was made.
Though both sexes can have oral cancer caused by HPV, the incidence is higher in men –– but Hadded said the reason is unknown to doctors as of now. And with an affected age range of 45 to 50 years old, oral cancer caused by HPV shows up sooner than oral cancer caused by excessive smoking and drinking.
Haddad also said young adults, especially college students, are “absolutely not” well informed about oral cancer caused by HPV, posing danger to their health –– especially if they have multiple sex partners and a history of oral sex.
“My interaction with high school and college students tells me they don’t know about this,” Hadded said. “They know a lot about HIV and sexual behavior, but not HPV as it relates to oral cancer. So that’s obviously a big concern.”
But those diagnosed with HPV shouldn’t panic, Hadded said, as their chances of getting cancer are fairly low.
“What HPV does is it increases your risk,” Hadded said. “If you take 100 people that smoke, maybe three of four will develop lung cancer. If you smoke, you’re increasing your risk. It’s the same thing with HPV.”
And prevention is key, Simpkins said. Annual oral screenings by a dentist is of utmost importance, as they are able to detect any abnormalities in the oral cavity.
Usually, a person with oral cancer caused by HPV will notice a sore in the oral cavity that does not heal and bleeds easily, Simpkins said. A lump on the side of the neck is also a common symptom. Persistent mouth pain, white patches inside the mouth, sore throat and difficulty in chewing, swallowing or moving the jaw are also symptoms that could be an indicator of oral cancer.
If caught at an early stage, the five-year survival rate of oral cancer caused by HPV is 83 percent, Simpkins said.
Besides annual screenings, men and women can also get the Gardasil vaccine, which helps protect individuals from HPV 16 and 18 –– two strains that can cause cancer –– and also from HPV 6 and 11, which can cause genital warts, Simpkins said.
Gardasil is usually associated with preventing cervical cancer, but both men and women should get the vaccine since it may prevent the strain of HPV that causes oral cancer too, Haddad said.
Beth Blew, marketing manager for University Health Services, said the health center plans on having one or two clinics in the fall that will offer free Gardasil vaccinations.
And though condoms won’t fully protect against spreading HPV, they help, Haddad said.
“We don’t want people to be scared, but educated,” Haddad said. “But if you look at the major risks, it’s having multiple sexual partners and history of oral sex that consistently correlate with oral cancer –– which students should know.”