HPV Associated Throat Cancer
In the United States, roughly 10 percent of the male population and 3.6 percent of the female population have oral human papillomavirus (HPV). This sexually transmitted infection is spread from one person to another during oral sex.
Oral HPV has the ability to infect your throat and mouth. Once infected, HPV will either go dormant or disappear entirely from your body. HPV has the ability to lay dormant for many years and then suddenly cause cancer.
HPV associated throat cancer can show up in your tonsils, on the base of your tongue and near the back of your throat (also known as oropharyngeal cancer). If you’re a man, you are three times more likely to have this type of throat cancer than a woman.
Signs Of Oropharyngeal Cancer
Symptoms of this type of cancer can include the following:
- A long-lasting sore throat
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Pain when you are swallowing
- Hoarseness
- Earaches
If you have one or more of these symptoms that are bothering you, it’s important to contact your doctor. You are also at a higher risk for this type of cancer if you are a smoker, or if you use smokeless tobacco products.
Dramatic Rise In HPV Associated Throat Cancer
Statistics indicate that this type of cancer is starting to reach epidemic portions. It has increased by an alarming 700 percent in the last 30 years. With so many men and women inflicted with oral HPV, it’s not surprising that more than 70% of throat cancer in the United States is caused by HPV.
Get Checked Early for HPV Associated Cancer
Unfortunately, most individuals don’t have a screening done early enough to catch this type of cancer before it becomes too late. An alarming 92% of throat cancer is diagnosed in the later stages.
With this statistic in mind — and other statistics that indicate that this type of cancer is on the rise–it’s best to have this checked earlier rather than later, especially if you have any symptoms or use tobacco products. If you’re concerned about throat or mouth cancer, call us today to schedule an appointment.
If you have any questions or concerns about oral cancer, don’t hesitate to call us at (360) 604-7151.
