Knowledge is Power
The Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is the most common of all STD/STI`s and is linked to certain types of cervical as well as oral cancer. As a matter of fact, the first ever estimate shows that roughly 16 million Americans have oral HPV. This information comes from a study piloted by Ohio State University which was headed by Dr. Maura Gillison. The study involved about 5,500 people between the years of 2009-2010 whose mouth samples were tested for HPV (to view the full study click here:jama.ama-assn.org/content/early/2012/01/23/jama.2012.101.full). Though there are many forms of HPV, most commonly linked to oral and cervical cancer is the strain of the virus called HPV-16, which during this study was found in about 1% of people (approximately 2 million Americans).
Dr. Gillison says of the study that ''...it provides us with some reassurance`` that most people with oral HPV will not develop oral cancer as a result. While there are millions of Americans with HPV, less than 15,000 Americans develop HPV related oral cancer on an annual basis. There are many lifestyle influences that of course can increase your risk for developing oral cancer as a result of HPV such as heavy smoking and drinking or increased oral sex activities, but overall the study showed a smaller amount of infections than what had been previously estimated. For more information talk to your doctor and feel free to read our previous blogs on the subject available here:blog.lencolab.com
An example of HPV of the mouth