7 Signs of HPV-positive Oropharyngeal Cancer

Watch out for these 7 signs of oral cancer and discover several ways to immediately decrease your risk.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted disease with over 79 million Americans infected, predominantly in their late teens and early 20s. There are more than 150 subtypes of HPV that can infect the genital area and throat (called oropharyngeal HPV). Many people are exposed to oral HPV in their life. Around 10% of men and 3.6% of women have oral HPV, but for most people the infection clears within one to two years.

The most frequent subtype of oropharyngeal HPV found is HPV-16 which has a high risk of causing throat cancer. HPV-16 causes nearly 70% of all oropharyngeal cancers in the United States. It usually takes several years after the infection for cancer to develop, and it is unclear whether HPV is the sole cause or if other factors such as smoking or chewing tobacco interact with HPV to cause oral cancer. HPV has also been linked to cancers in other parts of the body, which is another reason it is vital for people to get the HPV vaccination.

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In addition to the risk of developing cancer, people with oropharyngeal HPV often have no symptoms, therefore they do not realize they are infected with HPV. Further, there is no approved HPV test to find HPV in the mouth or throat—yet another reason why it is vital for people to get vaccinated, if they are eligible. Getting vaccinated drastically reduces a person’s chance of developing an HPV infection. Regardless, it is important to continue to visit your doctor as they may notice signs of throat cancer or oral HPV during a routine exam and in some cases your dentist might detect the signs.

The 7 Signs Specific to HPV-positive Oropharyngeal Cancer

  1. Coughing up blood.
  2. A lump in the throat.
  3. Hoarseness that doesn’t go away.
  4. Sore throat.
  5. A white or red patch on the tonsils.
  6. Jaw pain or swelling.
  7. Trouble swallowing that is new.

Ways to Decrease Your Risk

There are several ways to decrease the risk of getting HPV or oropharyngeal cancer.

  • Avoid tobacco products. Avoid smoke from other people’s cigarettes, and limit the amount of alcohol you drink.
  • Use protection when engaging in sexual activity and exercise caution. When used consistently and correctly, condoms and dental dams can lower the chance that HPV is transmitted.
  • Get vaccinated. The most effective way to keep from getting HPV and HPV-related cancers is getting vaccinated. The CDC recommends the vaccine for children age 11 and up, young women through age 26 and young men through age 21.

Conclusion

Though the majority of people with HPV will not develop cancer, it’s important to be aware of the signs and symptoms. The good news is that there are ways to decrease your risk of developing HPV-positive oropharyngeal cancer. Get vaccinated and make sure you practice safe sex. And if you think you might have any of the symptoms we’ve talked about in this post, don’t hesitate to see your doctor. Early diagnosis is key!

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