Thorat cancer from HPV?

[sc_guy]

My ex-girlfriend recently found out she has the HPV strain that can cause cervical cancer.  We had oral both ways during our relationship.  How likely is it that I will develop throat or penile cancer?  I am sick to my stomach and very scared.  She tested negative for everything else by the way.  Thank you.

[Ophelia23]

I found this graph on Wikipedia, but it is apparently taken from a more scientific source:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Cases_of_HPV_cancers_graph.png

As you can see, a fairly small percentage of throat cancers are caused by HPV.

[sc_guy]

Thanks for the help and words of comfort.  I started getting paranoid after reading some articles on the net about how there is a definite link between that strain of HPV and men who have performed oral sex on women with it.  I started thinking, "Oh great, now I have to wait for throat cancer or penile cancer to develop."  The article went on to say htat the risk is much greater of developing throat cancer than someone who smokes a lot, and then I started to get really worried.  I don't smoke, have a pretty clean diet, and workout with weights and cardio at least four to five times a week.  I hope this is enough to counteract the virus giving me cancer!

[simplynat]

Oh yeah - and don't worry about the questions. There are no dumb questions - they are the only way you can find out answers. But if I were you, I wouldn't stress about it. It honestly isn't worth it. If seeing an ENT specialist would ease your mind, then I would encourage you to do that and see what he/she recommends for follow up. But just remember that for most people, men in particular, HPV will have no ill effects.

[simplynat]

Yeah - honestly I wouldn't worry about it too much if I were you. I would practice so-called "safer" sex, aim for managomous and commited relationships and always use condoms with any new partners. (keep in mind condoms are only 70% effective)
Don't give it life - why bother? Live your life, honestly! I certainly don't know the percentages of oral/throat cancer caused by HPV but if you look at it this way....I would guess it to be less than 1% of the population, because it is a lot less common than cervical dysplasia/cancer caused by HPV; cervical cancer will only occur in 1% of women who develop mild dysplasia.

[sc_guy]

So what you guys are saying is that I shouldn't stress about it?  I go to the dentist for cleanings twice a year.  Should I go to an Ear, Nose, and Throat person yearly now too?  Thank you for tolerating my dumb questions!  I wish I could find some percentages on getting it via oral!

[simplynat]

There are several strain(s) of high risk HPV - which have the potentail (key word is potential) to cause cancer. Having HR-HPV does not mean a person will develop cancer and it is even far less likely for a man to have complications from it than a woman. LIke Amanda0922 said, you have probably already been with more than one woman who has HPV or even HR-HPV you only know about the one because her (key word - her) immune system had an inability to fight off an active infection. HPV can lay dormant for years - it is impossible to know who has it and who doesn't.

[simplynat]

HPV can be scary until you learn and read more about it. But just remember - many, many, many people have oral sex but very few people develop oral cancer and for the ones that do, it is more often caused by smoking. Smoking is the main cause of oral cancer, while there is a link between HPV and oral cancer the occurence is very rare. You are far more likely to develop it from smoking. Also - a dentist would be looking for lesions whenever you are for a cleaning. Yes, there is a link but the likelihood is very small and it is important to remember that. You would be more likely to win the lottery.

[sc_guy]

But I know for a fact that she has the type that can cause the cervical cancer and she had to get another pap on Friday.  I am sorry to belabor the point, but it is the strain of HPV that is really stressing me out.

[Amanda0922]

What to do: quit worrying about it. There is a higher percentage of people who drive and die in automobile accidents than men who get penile/throat cancer from having sex with a woman who has hpv. But you still drive, don't you?

Not only that, being that hpv is SO common and many many people never even know they have it, it's quite likely she isn't the first woman with hpv you've been with.

[sc_guy]

Thank you for the information.  She said she had to go back for another pap, but the doctor said it was the strain that could cause cancer in women.  I am so paranoid now that since I had oral with her that the virus particles are in my throat and will eventually give me throat cancer, or that her giving me oral will cause me to get cancer down there.  I know I sound pathetic, but I don't know what else to do.

[simplynat]

HPV is extremely common, 80% of the population will have an active infection by the time they are 50 (and condoms are only 70% effective) but for the majority of people HPV will have no ill effects. (You don't see 80% of the population with cancer, penile, oral, etc. right?) For a few people high risk HPV can cause dysplasia but for the most part HPV will only effect the cervix in women. For men, HPV usually will have no ill effects at all!! Even for women who develop a mild dysplasia from HPV - only 1% will go on to develop cancer. 1% - that is all, and that not 1% of all women, that's not 1% of all women who have HPV that is 1% of the small percentage of women that will actually develop the mildest level of dysplasia and it is more likely for a women to have complications from it than a man. So it is rare.