Despite an active campaign on the prevention of cancer, the incidence of throat cancer in the United States has not declined in recent years. In fact, statistics, even increasing in some areas, in contrast to the downward trend in the head and neck other, usually associated with smoking and alcohol.
He is studying whether the infection sexually transmitted human papilloma virus (HPV) could be the real cause. HPV is a virus that causes infections such as genital warts and cervical cancer more. Recently, researchers have found that HPV transmission through oral sex is a potential cause of throat cancer.
The first results highlight the importance of research to determine if the vaccine against the new provision is effective against HPV in men. The vaccine is considered to be virtually 100% effective in preventing cervical infections. Therefore, the medical community and the vaccine industry is encouraged to study their role in preventing oral cancer.
At present, the consumption of snuff and alcohol are classified as major risk factors for head and neck cancers. According to the American Cancer Society, about 90% of patients with these diseases either smoking or chewing snuff, or have done in the past, and up to 80% of oral cancer patients also drink a lot of alcohol .
The recently published analysis of head and neck cancer trends in the United States has shown that the decrease in smoking has led to a decline in most tumors of the head and neck in the last two decades. However, cancer of the throat remains main exception to this trend. This is further defined in oropharyngeal cancer, which includes the tonsils, base tongue and soft palate, and side and rear of the throat.
Although these cancers are rare, their incidence has remained stable, unified, and if tongue cancer in young adults has increased. They conclude that this is probably caused by HPV infections that can spread through oral sex.
Over the last five years were 35% of patients with throat cancer MD Anderson Cancer Center no history of smoking and almost 90% of patients who had never smoked showed signs of infection with oral papillomavirus.
The current policy of the United States is to recommend the HPV vaccine only for girls 11 to 12 years, and for women up to age 26 who have not yet been received. The researchers concluded that vaccination against HPV in women can only result in a missed opportunity to prevent throat cancer. However, in countries like Australia and Mexico, the HPV vaccine can be given to men, but there is no clinical evidence showing that HPV infections in men lead to throat cancer. Studies are currently underway to determine whether the vaccine can protect children against genital HPV infections.
"Vaccination against HPV may be a very effective protection against cervical cancer, and it is a good chance that this will reduce the incidence of other HPV-promoted cancers as well," said Debbie Saslow, PhD, American Cancer Society. "But we have no data to confirm it and we will not have any in the near future."
He is studying whether the infection sexually transmitted human papilloma virus (HPV) could be the real cause. HPV is a virus that causes infections such as genital warts and cervical cancer more. Recently, researchers have found that HPV transmission through oral sex is a potential cause of throat cancer.
The first results highlight the importance of research to determine if the vaccine against the new provision is effective against HPV in men. The vaccine is considered to be virtually 100% effective in preventing cervical infections. Therefore, the medical community and the vaccine industry is encouraged to study their role in preventing oral cancer.
At present, the consumption of snuff and alcohol are classified as major risk factors for head and neck cancers. According to the American Cancer Society, about 90% of patients with these diseases either smoking or chewing snuff, or have done in the past, and up to 80% of oral cancer patients also drink a lot of alcohol .
The recently published analysis of head and neck cancer trends in the United States has shown that the decrease in smoking has led to a decline in most tumors of the head and neck in the last two decades. However, cancer of the throat remains main exception to this trend. This is further defined in oropharyngeal cancer, which includes the tonsils, base tongue and soft palate, and side and rear of the throat.
Although these cancers are rare, their incidence has remained stable, unified, and if tongue cancer in young adults has increased. They conclude that this is probably caused by HPV infections that can spread through oral sex.
Over the last five years were 35% of patients with throat cancer MD Anderson Cancer Center no history of smoking and almost 90% of patients who had never smoked showed signs of infection with oral papillomavirus.
The current policy of the United States is to recommend the HPV vaccine only for girls 11 to 12 years, and for women up to age 26 who have not yet been received. The researchers concluded that vaccination against HPV in women can only result in a missed opportunity to prevent throat cancer. However, in countries like Australia and Mexico, the HPV vaccine can be given to men, but there is no clinical evidence showing that HPV infections in men lead to throat cancer. Studies are currently underway to determine whether the vaccine can protect children against genital HPV infections.
"Vaccination against HPV may be a very effective protection against cervical cancer, and it is a good chance that this will reduce the incidence of other HPV-promoted cancers as well," said Debbie Saslow, PhD, American Cancer Society. "But we have no data to confirm it and we will not have any in the near future."