Imagine, Cancer being contagious? Imagine an STD, sexually transmitted disease, causing cancer?
HPV, Human Papilloma of lips and oral mucosa. Excised by an Oral & Maxillofacial surgeon.
Can a simple wart on a person’s lip or tongue be the root for transmission of cancer? If you answered “YES” then you are correct. However, it isn’t that simple to say unless you know all the facts. As of August 2019, the CDC has compiled data and the results are alarming. This is important for all those people with that “little wart” or for our younger population from age 11-26 who are the most at risk.
Some warts are carrying a virus called Human Papilloma Virus or better known as HPV. KNOW that there is a vaccine available against the 2 most common strains of this contagious, cancer causing, virus.
HPV FACTS:
• Statistics show that in sexually active individuals 80% of them have contracted this virus.
• 14,000,000 new cases occur in the USA yearly.
• Primarily 2 strains are associated with the risk of cancer HPV 16 and 18.
• As per the CDC, Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, a majority of cancers are caused by the HPV as per their own description: Number of HPV-Associated and Estimated Number of HPV-Attributable Cancer Cases per Year.
• Most cancers are related to HPV with the CDC reporting Percentage probably caused by any HPV type The Oropharyngeal site is 70% and none of the remaining sites nor the m/f sex less than 63%. Average number of cancers per year in sites where HPV is often found (HPV- associated cancers) 24,886 Females and 19,113 Males.
• By age 50, at least 4 out of every 5 women will have been infected with HPV at one point in their lives.
HPV PREVENTION:
• Vaccination was originally developed to prevent cervical cancer, but it is now available to both males and females ages 11-26. To some 27-45-year-old.
• The best form of prevention of this disease is to avoid risky behavior or use physical barriers to prevent direct skin contact.
• Any suspicious growths should be reported to an Oral Surgeon who is most qualified to evaluate and provide the necessary care.
• Alcohol and Tobacco use may contribute to the risk assessment.
• HPV is now the most common STD , but the CDC says these vaccinations, can significantly reduce disease transmission.
• Surgical Biopsy is the only way to diagnose a suspicious lesion. “Brush Biopsy” produces false negative results and therefore not recommended for definitive diagnosis.
References and Statistics by the CDC
https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/hpv/statistics/cases.htm
https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/hpv/basic_info/hpv_oropharyngeal.htm
https://oralcancerfoundation.org/discovery-diagnosis/detailed-brush-cytology/
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| Cawson, Eveson (1987), Oral Pathology & Diagnosis, color atlas with integrated text. 13.2. Philadelphia: WB Saunders |
Can a simple wart on a person’s lip or tongue be the root for transmission of cancer? If you answered “YES” then you are correct. However, it isn’t that simple to say unless you know all the facts. As of August 2019, the CDC has compiled data and the results are alarming. This is important for all those people with that “little wart” or for our younger population from age 11-26 who are the most at risk.
Some warts are carrying a virus called Human Papilloma Virus or better known as HPV. KNOW that there is a vaccine available against the 2 most common strains of this contagious, cancer causing, virus.
HPV FACTS:
• Statistics show that in sexually active individuals 80% of them have contracted this virus.
• 14,000,000 new cases occur in the USA yearly.
• Primarily 2 strains are associated with the risk of cancer HPV 16 and 18.
• As per the CDC, Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, a majority of cancers are caused by the HPV as per their own description: Number of HPV-Associated and Estimated Number of HPV-Attributable Cancer Cases per Year.
• Most cancers are related to HPV with the CDC reporting Percentage probably caused by any HPV type The Oropharyngeal site is 70% and none of the remaining sites nor the m/f sex less than 63%. Average number of cancers per year in sites where HPV is often found (HPV- associated cancers) 24,886 Females and 19,113 Males.
• By age 50, at least 4 out of every 5 women will have been infected with HPV at one point in their lives.
HPV PREVENTION:
• Vaccination was originally developed to prevent cervical cancer, but it is now available to both males and females ages 11-26. To some 27-45-year-old.
• The best form of prevention of this disease is to avoid risky behavior or use physical barriers to prevent direct skin contact.
• Any suspicious growths should be reported to an Oral Surgeon who is most qualified to evaluate and provide the necessary care.
• Alcohol and Tobacco use may contribute to the risk assessment.
• HPV is now the most common STD , but the CDC says these vaccinations, can significantly reduce disease transmission.
• Surgical Biopsy is the only way to diagnose a suspicious lesion. “Brush Biopsy” produces false negative results and therefore not recommended for definitive diagnosis.
References and Statistics by the CDC
https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/hpv/statistics/cases.htm
https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/hpv/basic_info/hpv_oropharyngeal.htm
https://oralcancerfoundation.org/discovery-diagnosis/detailed-brush-cytology/
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