Aa
hpv and oral cancer
good morning, doctor. I have a few questions that
I'm confused about in regards to hpv and oral sex.
*when did the general public become aware of the link between
oral HPV and oral cancer? 2005 or 2006?
* Is it true that even though there is a link, the transmission rate
is still pretty low? I'm really concerned that I'm an asymptomatic
carrier and have given my partners potential cancer!
* condoms for oral sex are kind of considered optional, yes? Meaning
that this finding isn't that alarming. I even read where cell phone use is
not associated with increased oral cancer.
* do you think that dentists will start doing oral pap smears the
way gynecologists do cervical pap smears? I read about something
called vizilite which increases the sensitivity of swabs to 100%.
* I read on this forum where dr. hook indicated that CONSERVATIVE
estimates are that over 85% of sexually active people have hpv. that's
incredible! What's even more incredible is that the general public is
pretty ignorant about this virus. Do you know are there campaigns and
plans by the CDC, ASHA to increase public awareness?
I'm confused about in regards to hpv and oral sex.
*when did the general public become aware of the link between
oral HPV and oral cancer? 2005 or 2006?
* Is it true that even though there is a link, the transmission rate
is still pretty low? I'm really concerned that I'm an asymptomatic
carrier and have given my partners potential cancer!
* condoms for oral sex are kind of considered optional, yes? Meaning
that this finding isn't that alarming. I even read where cell phone use is
not associated with increased oral cancer.
* do you think that dentists will start doing oral pap smears the
way gynecologists do cervical pap smears? I read about something
called vizilite which increases the sensitivity of swabs to 100%.
* I read on this forum where dr. hook indicated that CONSERVATIVE
estimates are that over 85% of sexually active people have hpv. that's
incredible! What's even more incredible is that the general public is
pretty ignorant about this virus. Do you know are there campaigns and
plans by the CDC, ASHA to increase public awareness?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Thanks, MF! (I love writing that and meaning it, and not being carcastic or crass.)
"HPV should be looked at as a normal consequence of human sexuality. We all get staph and strep on our skins, E. coli in our intestines, and innumerable other bacteria and viruses in other parts of our body. Once in a while, one of those normally harmless germs causes disease -- but in general, they have important health benefits (e.g., bacteria in our intestines) or have no important health effect either way. That's how you (and everyone else) should view genital HPV infections."
I love this answer. Man, I am so tired of the MRSA/salmonella/trendy-organism-of-the-moment hysteria.
I love this answer. Man, I am so tired of the MRSA/salmonella/trendy-organism-of-the-moment hysteria.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Being confused about oral HPV and oral cancer is pretty normal. To some extent, everyone is confused. The information is new, research is continuing, and what seems to be true today could be proved wrong as time passes. This situation can be exploited by alarmist news stories, websites, etc.
However, all things considered, there seems no cause for alarm. Only one HPV type, HPV-16, has been associated with oral cancers; i.e., the large majority of genital HPV infections are irrelevant. Second, only certain types of oral cancer, those that originate in or near lymphoid tissue in the back of the throat (near the tonsils), are associated with HPV-16. Third, it is estimated that there are only about 6,000 such cases per year in the entire United States. That number appears to be rising, but it remains a rare disease. From these numbers alone, it is apparent that an extremely small number of sexually active people who might be exposed (e.g., oral sex with a partner with genital HPV-16) actually go on to develop oral cancer. Further, the oral cancer cases generally occur in people age 50 and over. Finally, the source of the responsible HPV-16 infections is not known; it isn't necessarily oral sex.
So those are the facts as they seem to be known at this time. As I said, these understandings might change as research progresses. To the specific questions:
* Your judgment about "public knowledge" is as good as mine. Some news stories started to appear a few years earlier, but there has been more attention in the past couple of years due to publicity about some published research studies.
* Clearly the risk of cancer is very low. It isn't possible to judge the risk of transmission of HPV-16 to the mouth by oral sex. To the extent it occurs, probably the large majority of infections go away and most likely do not risk future cancer.
* Most STD and public health experts do not routinely recommend condoms for oral sex. Of course people are encouraged to use them if it makes them more comfortable in a potentially risky sexual situation. Anybody who writes that "cell phone risk is not a risk for oral cancer" is engaging in irresponsible rumor-mongering. By saying there is no risk, the writer is implying that someone else says there IS a risk. But nobody responsible ever said such a thing. Shun that website or newspaper.
* It is conceivable that future cancer prevention strategies would include some sort of oral test for HPV or pre-cancerous cells. I understand some (irresponsible, in my opinion) online services are offering that right now. Any widely accepted recomendation is years away and might never come.
* Incredible or not, it's probably true. But I'm not sure I agree about the general public's knowledge; there's been a fair amount of publicity about genital HPV in recent years. HPV should be looked at as a normal consequence of human sexuality. We all get staph and strep on our skins, E. coli in our intestines, and innumerable other bacteria and viruses in other parts of our body. Once in a while, one of those normally harmless germs causes disease -- but in general, they have important health benefits (e.g., bacteria in our intestines) or have no important health effect either way. That's how you (and everyone else) should view genital HPV infections.
I hope this helps. Best wishes-- HHH, MD
However, all things considered, there seems no cause for alarm. Only one HPV type, HPV-16, has been associated with oral cancers; i.e., the large majority of genital HPV infections are irrelevant. Second, only certain types of oral cancer, those that originate in or near lymphoid tissue in the back of the throat (near the tonsils), are associated with HPV-16. Third, it is estimated that there are only about 6,000 such cases per year in the entire United States. That number appears to be rising, but it remains a rare disease. From these numbers alone, it is apparent that an extremely small number of sexually active people who might be exposed (e.g., oral sex with a partner with genital HPV-16) actually go on to develop oral cancer. Further, the oral cancer cases generally occur in people age 50 and over. Finally, the source of the responsible HPV-16 infections is not known; it isn't necessarily oral sex.
So those are the facts as they seem to be known at this time. As I said, these understandings might change as research progresses. To the specific questions:
* Your judgment about "public knowledge" is as good as mine. Some news stories started to appear a few years earlier, but there has been more attention in the past couple of years due to publicity about some published research studies.
* Clearly the risk of cancer is very low. It isn't possible to judge the risk of transmission of HPV-16 to the mouth by oral sex. To the extent it occurs, probably the large majority of infections go away and most likely do not risk future cancer.
* Most STD and public health experts do not routinely recommend condoms for oral sex. Of course people are encouraged to use them if it makes them more comfortable in a potentially risky sexual situation. Anybody who writes that "cell phone risk is not a risk for oral cancer" is engaging in irresponsible rumor-mongering. By saying there is no risk, the writer is implying that someone else says there IS a risk. But nobody responsible ever said such a thing. Shun that website or newspaper.
* It is conceivable that future cancer prevention strategies would include some sort of oral test for HPV or pre-cancerous cells. I understand some (irresponsible, in my opinion) online services are offering that right now. Any widely accepted recomendation is years away and might never come.
* Incredible or not, it's probably true. But I'm not sure I agree about the general public's knowledge; there's been a fair amount of publicity about genital HPV in recent years. HPV should be looked at as a normal consequence of human sexuality. We all get staph and strep on our skins, E. coli in our intestines, and innumerable other bacteria and viruses in other parts of our body. Once in a while, one of those normally harmless germs causes disease -- but in general, they have important health benefits (e.g., bacteria in our intestines) or have no important health effect either way. That's how you (and everyone else) should view genital HPV infections.
I hope this helps. Best wishes-- HHH, MD
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
You might find it useful to participate in the MedHelp HPV community forum, for ongoing discussion and a range of views about these issues.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
The knowledge about HPV isn't universal, but it is increasing rapidly. I agree with comments 2 and 3. This should not be "hard to come to terms with"; see my closing comment above.
* so, you think that due to recent press/ads most people are aware about genital hpv and cervical cancer? That's good to know.
* if i were to pass hpv on to someone (i dont want to do anything like that on purpose) i should see myself as pretty much a normal sexually active person?
* is it fair to say that basically everyone has transmitted this virus to someone (whether they knew it or not) sort of like hand warts or the common cold?
* it's really staggering just how common this is. I read that the average number of partners a woman with an abnormal pap smear is 2.1. It was sited on the 1st annual hpv/cervical cancer conference website.
this is hard to come to terms with so i appreciate your taking the time to answer all my questions.
* if i were to pass hpv on to someone (i dont want to do anything like that on purpose) i should see myself as pretty much a normal sexually active person?
* is it fair to say that basically everyone has transmitted this virus to someone (whether they knew it or not) sort of like hand warts or the common cold?
* it's really staggering just how common this is. I read that the average number of partners a woman with an abnormal pap smear is 2.1. It was sited on the 1st annual hpv/cervical cancer conference website.
this is hard to come to terms with so i appreciate your taking the time to answer all my questions.
You are reading content posted in the STDs Forum
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Millions of people are diagnosed with STDs in the U.S. each year.
STDs can't be transmitted by casual contact, like hugging or touching.
Syphilis is an STD that is transmitted by oral, genital and anal sex.
