HPV and Oral Cancer is something we at Katy Family Dentists want you to know about. HPV stands for Human Papilloma Virus. There are many kinds of these viruses. Many of them are not very harmful. They may cause common warts on your hands for example. Some types of these viruses are sexually transmitted and have been found to be the main cause of cervical cancer. The American Social Health Association published a study that shows that 75% of all sexually active adults will contract an HPV infection sometime in their lifetime.
Recently these kinds of viruses have also been connected with oral cancer. Oral cancer is quite serious. Every year there are 35,000 cases diagnosed in the US, and half of these people don’t live more than 5 more years. One troubling statistic shows alcohol and tobacco abuse, thought to be the main causes of oral cancer, have actually been declining, however oral cancer rates are rising.
One main problem with oral cancer is that it is difficult to self-diagnose. It usually involves changes in the oral tissues that are hard to notice on your own, especially if they are in the tonsil areas or the back of the tongue.
The US Center for Disease Control and Prevention keeps tabs on these statistics. They have reported that 20 to 30 percent of all head and neck cancers are related to HPV infection. Another study of 100 newly diagnosed oral cancer patients showed 72% of them had HPV detected in the area of the cancer. In the big picture, the US has seen a 200% increase in these cancers in the last 20 years. The rate of increase is 3% per year now, and men are more susceptible than women.
HPV is sexually transmitted. The rise of the disease in the last 30 years indicates a possible increase in sexual habits and lifestyles involving oral sex. This is also likely associated with the younger generations, especially involving unprotected sex with multiple partners.
Yes, these are serious issues. Katy Family Dentists are here to help. It is your dentist that has the bird’s eye view of all tissues in your mouth. They have the unique opportunity to detect early on, lesions or other signs of early onset of oral cancer. All dentists are trained in oral tissue evaluation as a part of each routine exam. Certain areas inside the mouth are evaluated and any damaged tissue or infections are looked at carefully.
These are also great reasons to be thorough when the Dentist or Hygenist asks “Are there any changes at all to your general health ?” Give us a call, or use the Appointment Request form at the top to set up a routine exam, or talk to us about your dental health ! 281 398-3432.