While Human Papillomavirus (HPV), a sexually transmitted virus, causes the majority of cervical cancer in women, it is also responsible for various cancers in men. Today, approximately 42 million Americans are infected with HPV, with about 13 million new infections yearly. In the Philippines, about 1.15 to
1.5 million Filipino women carry an active HPV at any given time, and about 38 million to 39.6 million are considered at risk for developing complications.
Over the past decades, an estimated “260,000 to 270,000 HPV-associated cancers were diagnosed in women, and 210,000 to 230,000 among men, in the
United States over the past decade,” according to the US CDC. These are all preventable with the Gardasil vaccines, when boys and girls are vaccinated before
they are sexually active.
The rate of throat cancer in the United States has not declined, compared to most head and neck malignancies. I suspect that the statistics could also be
true, when extrapolated, for other countries, like the Philippines, since most Filipinos are westernized in their lifestyle, habits, and behaviors, etc.
The most logical explanation why cancer of the throat has not diminished has been attributed to the Human Papillomavirus. HPV is popularly known to
cause genital and most cancers of the cervix (mouth of the womb). It has only been recently that scientists discovered and identified HPV transmission
through oral sex as an etiology of throat cancer.
M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston reported that its research team found “the incidence of throat cancer (in the United States) to be stagnant and
even rising in some populations, defying a downward trend in other head and neck cancers linked more closely with smoking.”
The American Cancer Society reports that the greatest risk factors in head and neck cancers are smoking and drinking alcoholic beverages, 90% of them
either smokers or tobacco-chewers and about 80% of them also imbibed a lot of alcohol.
even rising in some populations, defying a downward trend in other head and neck cancers linked more closely with smoking.”
The American Cancer Society reports that the greatest risk factors in head and neck cancers are smoking and drinking alcoholic beverages, 90% of them
either smokers or tobacco-chewers and about 80% of them also imbibed a lot of alcohol.
The good news is that a trend analysis in head and neck cancers in the United States shows a decline over the past twenty years, trailing a decrease in
smoking prevalence, which started in the 1970s, by 10 to 15 years. The bad news is that oropharyngeal cancers (which include the tonsils,
base of the tongue and soft palate, and side and back of the throat) have been up in some populations in the United States, and probably among people in
smoking prevalence, which started in the 1970s, by 10 to 15 years. The bad news is that oropharyngeal cancers (which include the tonsils,
base of the tongue and soft palate, and side and back of the throat) have been up in some populations in the United States, and probably among people in
other parts of the world who practice oral sex, where HPV takes its toll. HPV could also cause cancer of the vagina, penis, and anus, besides cervical and
throat cancers.
The sample of the vaccine referred to is Gardasil, which is genetically engineered and which blocks infection caused by two of the more than 100 types of
Human Papillomavirus (HPV), strains 16 and 18. These two sexually-transmitted viruses are responsible for about 70% of cervical cancers. HPV, in
one form or the other, afflicts more than 20 million Americans. The other strains of the virus cause painful genital warts, and sometimes, cervical cancers too.
one form or the other, afflicts more than 20 million Americans. The other strains of the virus cause painful genital warts, and sometimes, cervical cancers too.
Let us momentarily discuss cervical cancer, since the HP virus is implicated in its causation in almost three-quarters of this malignancy.
How prevalent is cervical cancer?
In the Philippines, there are about 5000 new cases of cervical cancer each year. However, more alarming than that is the fact that there are between 10,000
to 25,000 women walking around (not seen by a physician) who have undiagnosed pre-invasive lesions in their cervix. If diagnosed early, these women could be
saved. For every four survivors of breast cancer, there are fewer than 3 women who survive cervical cancer, which shows how virulent cervical cancer is.
What causes cervical cancer?
Human Papillomavirus (HPV, also known as genital herpes virus) accounts for most cervical cancers. At least 50% of sexually active men and women are
infected with genital HPV, especially those with multiple partners. Among the million American and Philippine men and women infected with HPV, many
linked with abnormal Papare tests, genital warts, and cervical cancer. It is estimated that at least 13 million new cases of cervical cancers are discovered annually.
Between half a million and a million Americans have genital warts, transmitted through sexual contact. It takes time for those infected with HPV to develop into cancer,
so there are countless infected people out there who would potentially have cancers. The best for children (before turning 10) and adults up to age 45 is to get
vaccinated to prevent HPV infection to begin with.
linked with abnormal Papare tests, genital warts, and cervical cancer. It is estimated that at least 13 million new cases of cervical cancers are discovered annually.
Between half a million and a million Americans have genital warts, transmitted through sexual contact. It takes time for those infected with HPV to develop into cancer,
so there are countless infected people out there who would potentially have cancers. The best for children (before turning 10) and adults up to age 45 is to get
vaccinated to prevent HPV infection to begin with.
Is the cure for cervical cancer?
Better than the cure! A vaccine (Gardasil) that prevents cervical cancer, vulvar and vaginal cancer that was approved by the US-FDA in 2006 was found to be
“effective 100%, in the short term, at blocking the cancer and lesions likely to turn to cancer” (like the pre-invasive lesions), according to Gardasil
manufacturer, Merck. To have 100 percent efficacy is something we see very rarely. The UK’s version of the vaccine is known as Cervarix.
“effective 100%, in the short term, at blocking the cancer and lesions likely to turn to cancer” (like the pre-invasive lesions), according to Gardasil
manufacturer, Merck. To have 100 percent efficacy is something we see very rarely. The UK’s version of the vaccine is known as Cervarix.
How early should the vaccine be given?
Students in grammar school, middle school and high school should be vaccinated before they become sexually active, as early as 9 years old for both boys
and girls, and adults up to age 45, because once they catch HPV infection, there is no cure; herpes is for life. This was the recommendation of Dr. Gloria
Bachmann, director of The Women’s Health Institute at Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in Brunswick, NJ, who said this vaccine is a “phenomenal
breakthrough.” Prophylaxis Gardasil vaccination comprehensively eliminates HPV 16 and 18-associated non-invasive and invasive cervical cancer. The
vaccine also cuts down infection with HPV 6 and 11, the causes of 90% of genital warts. Gardasil is safe for both boys and girls and adults.
How about throat cancers?
Of the 45,000 head and neck cancers in the US each year, about 10,000 of them are oropharyngeal cancers, and tongue cancers among young adults
have also increased. The evident conclusion is that the cause is the HP virus. “Over the last five years, 35% of the throat cancer patients treated at the
M.D. Anderson Cancer Center had no history of smoking, and that close to 90% of patients who had never smoked showed evidence of oral infection with
HPV. The researchers felt that “vaccinating only females against HPV could result in a missed opportunity to prevent throat cancers.” It is recommended for
both girls and boys to close that gap, preventing boys from spreading the HPV virus.
both girls and boys to close that gap, preventing boys from spreading the HPV virus.
The use of cling plastic wrap used in the kitchen placed over the woman’s groin for oral sex as a shield has been advocated by some to prevent HPV transmission.
Mouth, tongue, and other throat cancers could be as grave and deadly as most other forms of cancer. I do not know how to put this more seriously, more effectively,
Mouth, tongue, and other throat cancers could be as grave and deadly as most other forms of cancer. I do not know how to put this more seriously, more effectively,
and more delicately, but medically speaking, a moratorium on oral sex might be in order. Realistically, human nature usually prevails. This is a greater argument for
childhood vaccination with the life-saving Gardasil. And parents should not deny their sons and daughters this valuable vaccine.
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The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.
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Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, a Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus based in Northwest Indiana and Las Vegas, Nevada, is an international medical lecturer/author, Health Advocate, medical missionary, newspaper columnist,
and Chairman of the Filipino United Network-USA, a 501(c)3 humanitarian foundation in the United States. He is a decorated recipient of the Indiana Sagamore of the Wabash Award in 1995, presented by then Indiana
Governor, U.S. Senator, and later a presidential candidate, Evan Bayh. Other Sagamore past awardees include President Harry S. Truman, President George HW Bush, Astronaut Gus Grissom, pugilist Muhammad Ali,
distinguished educators, renowned scientists, etc. (Wikipedia). Websites: FUN8888.com, Today.SPSAtoday.
