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Link between Oral HPV and Cancer
Scientists have known about the link between human papillomavirus (HPV) and cervical cancer for decades. But it has been only a few years since the link between this virus and cancers of head and #neck has been discovered.
In most of the cases, the body fights HPV because it can pose a threat of cancer in the throat. But with a rise in the cancers of head and neck, scientists suspect that HPV may be the main culprit in this regard.
Now, the good news is that prevention of HPV requires you to follow only a few steps. And so, you can prevent the risk of cancer.
Way HPV spreads
According to an estimate, about 7% of the #Americans are infected with HPV. It is unclear how this virus spreads. One thing is clear about this virus that it doesn’t spread through casual contacts; i.e. sharing drinks.
It is highly unlikely that you know about the existence of this virus on the body. It is probably due to the fact that it doesn’t result in any #symptoms. And in majority of cases, the immune system clears this virus within two years. But if it stays in the body for an extended period of time, it can result in cancer.
How does this virus lead to cancer in head and neck?
There are about 40 types of HPV that can infect people. But only a few types of it can cause cancer. The type that can result in cervical cancer is HPV16. It’s the same virus that can result in head and neck cancers.
The attack of this virus can lead to the physical change in the cell in the area under attack. The immune system fights off these viruses to prevent them from doing further damage. If the immune system is unable to fight this infection, it can lead to the development of tumors which are most likely cancerous.
It is worth mentioning here that the process of development of cancerous tumors due to this virus is a long-term one. It may take more than 10 years for an infection due to HPV to turn into cancer. So, you normally get a fairly bigger time window to do something about it.
Vaccines
Vaccination is the best way to prevent this virus from making things worse for your health. Furthermore, it is quite important to prevent any infection from developing in the oral cavity, head, and neck area. The most commonly used vaccines in this regard are Gardasil and Cervarix. Both are very beneficial when it comes to cervical cancer prevention.
Link between Oral HPV and Cancer
Scientists have known about the link between human papillomavirus (HPV) and cervical cancer for decades. But it has been only a few years since the link between this virus and cancers of head and #neck has been discovered.
In most of the cases, the body fights HPV because it can pose a threat of cancer in the throat. But with a rise in the cancers of head and neck, scientists suspect that HPV may be the main culprit in this regard.
Now, the good news is that prevention of HPV requires you to follow only a few steps. And so, you can prevent the risk of cancer.
Way HPV spreads
According to an estimate, about 7% of the #Americans are infected with HPV. It is unclear how this virus spreads. One thing is clear about this virus that it doesn’t spread through casual contacts; i.e. sharing drinks.
It is highly unlikely that you know about the existence of this virus on the body. It is probably due to the fact that it doesn’t result in any #symptoms. And in majority of cases, the immune system clears this virus within two years. But if it stays in the body for an extended period of time, it can result in cancer.
How does this virus lead to cancer in head and neck?
There are about 40 types of HPV that can infect people. But only a few types of it can cause cancer. The type that can result in cervical cancer is HPV16. It’s the same virus that can result in head and neck cancers.
The attack of this virus can lead to the physical change in the cell in the area under attack. The immune system fights off these viruses to prevent them from doing further damage. If the immune system is unable to fight this infection, it can lead to the development of tumors which are most likely cancerous.
It is worth mentioning here that the process of development of cancerous tumors due to this virus is a long-term one. It may take more than 10 years for an infection due to HPV to turn into cancer. So, you normally get a fairly bigger time window to do something about it.
Vaccines
Vaccination is the best way to prevent this virus from making things worse for your health. Furthermore, it is quite important to prevent any infection from developing in the oral cavity, head, and neck area. The most commonly used vaccines in this regard are Gardasil and Cervarix. Both are very beneficial when it comes to cervical cancer prevention.