Dr . Tom Thomas Shares Latest Information on HPV Overcome the Stigma of HPV and Throat Cancer
With the world ’ s
attention focused on the development of aCOVID-19 vaccine , webelieve the time is also right to bring the public ’ sattention to the U . S . Food and Drug Administration ( FDA ) approval ofexpanding the human papillomavirus ( HPV ) vaccine ’ suse to include women and men aged 27 through 45 years . The first HPV vaccine was approved in2006 , to be given tochildren 9to12 years old . We applaud the FDA ’ srecent expanded approval , which will have far-reaching lifesaving impact for anyone who may beathigh risk for developing oropharyngeal cancer — atype of cancer that affects the back ofthe tongue and the tonsils .
Despite widespread recognition of the effectiveness of the HPV vaccine within the medical community , westill need to overcome the embarrassment and stigma associated with head and neck cancers caused by HPV – the most common sexually transmitted disease . Wemust do this not just for the sake ofthose who suffer today , but for the next generation .
“ HPV ” includes afamily of over 200 viruses . Itistransmitted through direct contact . Most of us are exposed to these viruses once we become sexually active . Usually , weclear the virus through our immune system without even realizing its presence . Inaminority of us , the virus evades our detection system and stays inside our cells for years . Itmay then cause warts , benign tumors or on rare occasions , cancer .
HPV-associated cancers of the head and neckhavetripled in the past several decades , while other types of head and neckcancers have declined . Cancer of the oropharynx used to affect older men – longtime heavy smokers or drinkers . Many of today ’ spatients with HPVassociated throat cancer are men in their 40s and 50s . According to the National Cancer Institute , HPV is nowresponsible for 70 % or more of oropharyngeal cancers . The incidence of head and neckcancers associated with HPV will outnumber that of cervical cancer this year .
TOM THOMAS , MD , MPH is medical director , Head and Neck Reconstructive Surgery and Transoral Robotic Surgery , Leonard B . Kahn Head and Neck Cancer Institute at Atlantic Health System ’ s Morristown Medical Center and Carol G . Simon Cancer Center . He is one of the leaders of the Atlantic HPV Center .
There are no early warning signs that are specific to HPVassociated throat cancer . Symptoms can mimic atypical upper respiratory infection that is not getting better . Sometimes patients can have earache , hoarse voice and / or burning pain with swallowing . Other times there may beapainless lump in the neck orulcer on atonsil . When any of these symptoms persist for more than three weeks , it ’ stime to seek help .
If aphysician discovers alump or ulceration in your throat , he or she should refer you toaspecialist : anotolaryngologist ( ENT ) or head and neck surgeon . If you donot have these symptoms , but you orsomeone you have been intimate with has ahistory ofsexually transmitted diseases , ask your physician to examine your throat and neck area carefully . Dentists can also detect suspicious-looking lumps or ulcers in the mouth . Treatments for these cancers have significantly improved inrecent years , and may include minimally invasive robotic or laser surgery done through the mouth , targeted radiation therapy that spares healthy tissue , and chemotherapy .
The best treatment for HPV-associated head and neck cancer is prevention . We have effective HPV vaccines that prevent infection with cancer-causing HPV types . Ingeneral , the vaccine must be given before aperson has become sexually intimate . Weare many years into this growing silent epidemic , and the stigma shows no signs of abating . Ifyou get HPV-associated cancer , orsuspect you may have it , you are not alone . Donot be afraid to speak with your physician and your significant other . More importantly , get your children vaccinated .
For more information , visit atlantichealth . org / cancersurrounded .
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