It has long been reported that the risk of HPV progressing to a significant level of precancerous and subsequently cancerous lesion are very low. I have long been concerned regarding just how accurate this information may be.
The rates of cervical cancer over the past half a century have dropped dramatically as a result of cervical screening programs which can identify abnormalities in advance of their becoming cancerous. As a direct result of these programs, high-grade lesions (CIN2, CIN3 and CIS also known as carcinoma in situ) are routinely treated and removed in an attempt to eliminate the potential for cancer.
HPV however, like many other contagious conditions, is not a reportable infection like Chlamydia or Hepatitis. There is the potential for far more of these lesions to exist because there also is no repository from which to study and track the numbers of these high-grade lesions.
However HPV is known to cause multiple other cancers aside from cervical. One of the most significant is anal cancer. While this cancer has an extremely high cure rate if identified and treated early in its course, all too often it is misdiagnosed as bleeding hemorrhoids thus delaying a true diagnosis for months or even years.
Just like cervical HPV, anal HPV progresses from small changes within the cells and over time increasingly abnormal changes which eventually will result in cancer.
For the most part, HPV and the associated conditions has long been a “woman’s disease” while recent studies in both North and South America have shown that 50 percent of men have HPV. Obviously this information is something which the public needs to know and for which men need to take responsibility since they can transmit the virus to women.
In recent studies referenced by Dr. Joel Palefsky, one of the leading HPV researchers and infectious disease specialists in the United States, anal HPV infection was shown to be present in 60 percent of normal healthy women while only 50 percent were shown to have cervical HPV infections. This indicates that anal HPV infection is more prevalent than previously thought.
Dr. Palefsky intends to initiate a study which would also create a repository for specimens relating to anal HPV. This could be used to study for an early signs of transition to higher grade lesions and cancer which may be useful in the future in determining those most in need of treatment. Dr. Palefsky will be presenting this proposal to the National Institutes of Health early this month.
What has long been needed is such a repository to adequately determine the risk for high-grade cervical lesions as well. Hopefully someone will follow Dr. Palefsky’s innovative and forward thinking in creating just such a repository.
Webcasts | Joel Palefsky, MD — ." Sexuality, Reproduction & Menopause. N.P., n.d. Web. 7 Sept. 2011. http://www.srm-ejournal.com/srm.asp?id=7285
"Anal Cancer: Statistics | Cancer.Net." Doctor-approved cancer information from ASCO | Cancer.Net. N.P., n.d. Web. 7 Sept. 2011. http://www.cancer.net/patient/Cancer+Types/Anal+Cancer?sectionTitle=Statistics
"Cervical Cancer Prevention." THE MEDICAL NEWS | from News-Medical.Net - Latest Medical News and Research from Around the World. N.P., n.d. Web. 7 Sept. 2011. http://www.news-medical.net/health/Cervical-Cancer-Prevention.aspx
A site for individuals to share in the conversation regarding life with HPV, concerns about HPV diagnosis and treatment, and to receive support and feedback from others. This site is created in conjunction with The HPV Support Network website which offers a vast array of information for both patients and providers.
Showing posts with label hpv transmission. Show all posts
Showing posts with label hpv transmission. Show all posts
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Monday, August 29, 2011
Is Cancer Contagious? The ACS Says No, but is This the Truth?
In an article by the American Cancer Society titled “Is Cancer Contagious”, the comment is emphatically made that it is not. It goes on to say,
“If cancer were contagious, we would have cancer epidemics just as we have flu epidemics -- cancer would spread like measles, polio, or the common cold. We would expect a high rate of cancer among the families and friends of cancer patients and among health professionals to reflect their exposure to the disease. This is not the case.”
In the case of the human papillomavirus I would have to disagree. HPV is known to cause numerous cancers including cervical, vaginal, vulvar, anal and oral, as well as penile. Its main method of transmission is through intimate skin-to-skin contact. It does not require intercourse however this only increased the chances of contracting the virus especially for women through small tears or abrasions in the vagina during intercourse.
Family members don’t have intimate relations with each other and they don’t typically have them with their friends either. And it’s obvious that they aren’t having intimate relations with their physicians. So the theory as related in this article borders on nothing but the absurd.
While HPV does not transmit cancer in the literal sense of the word, it does introduce the precursors known, under the right conditions, to cause cancer. We know that HPV is a sexually transmitted disease and can also be transmitted through oral sex and some have indicated that kissing is not beyond the realm of possibilities as well as through foamites (inanimate objects, fingers, sex toys etc).
The article goes on to state:
“There is no evidence that close contact or things like sex, kissing, touching …… can spread cancer from one person to another.” On the contrary, more and more research is confirming that transmission of HPV is far more complex and involves multiple modes of transmission and one is certainly more likely to develop one of these cancers if they have been exposed to HPV than not.
Today, 99.9% of cervical cancers are the result of HPV and over 90% of anal cancers. Oral cancers continue to rise, particularly in younger men, at a staggering rate which has already exceeded the number of cervical cancers on an annual basis.
As with other HPV related cancers, it is not a difficulty in diagnosing these cancers that are the problem, but a lack of education on the part of physicians and the lack of public awareness and early screening opportunities.
Cancer in the broader sense of the conversation, or shall I say the potential for cancer, has shown to be very much contagious as it relates to HPV. The Hepatitis viruses have long been known to result in liver and pancreatic cancers. Perhaps we may ultimately find that all cancers are the result of various viruses, but until then, perhaps the ACS should take a bit more pragmatic view on its current position.
" Is Cancer Contagious? ." American Cancer Society :: Information and Resources for Cancer: Breast, Colon, Prostate, Lung and Other Forms. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Aug. 2011. http://www.cancer.org/Cancer/CancerBasics/is-cancer-contagious
"Hepatitis B Foundation: Hepatitis B and Primary Liver Cancer." Hepatitis B Foundation. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Aug. 2011. http://www.hepb.org/professionals
The Oral Cancer Foundation. Web.28 Aug. 2011. http://www.oralcancerfoundation.com/
“If cancer were contagious, we would have cancer epidemics just as we have flu epidemics -- cancer would spread like measles, polio, or the common cold. We would expect a high rate of cancer among the families and friends of cancer patients and among health professionals to reflect their exposure to the disease. This is not the case.”
In the case of the human papillomavirus I would have to disagree. HPV is known to cause numerous cancers including cervical, vaginal, vulvar, anal and oral, as well as penile. Its main method of transmission is through intimate skin-to-skin contact. It does not require intercourse however this only increased the chances of contracting the virus especially for women through small tears or abrasions in the vagina during intercourse.
Family members don’t have intimate relations with each other and they don’t typically have them with their friends either. And it’s obvious that they aren’t having intimate relations with their physicians. So the theory as related in this article borders on nothing but the absurd.
While HPV does not transmit cancer in the literal sense of the word, it does introduce the precursors known, under the right conditions, to cause cancer. We know that HPV is a sexually transmitted disease and can also be transmitted through oral sex and some have indicated that kissing is not beyond the realm of possibilities as well as through foamites (inanimate objects, fingers, sex toys etc).
The article goes on to state:
“There is no evidence that close contact or things like sex, kissing, touching …… can spread cancer from one person to another.” On the contrary, more and more research is confirming that transmission of HPV is far more complex and involves multiple modes of transmission and one is certainly more likely to develop one of these cancers if they have been exposed to HPV than not.
Today, 99.9% of cervical cancers are the result of HPV and over 90% of anal cancers. Oral cancers continue to rise, particularly in younger men, at a staggering rate which has already exceeded the number of cervical cancers on an annual basis.
As with other HPV related cancers, it is not a difficulty in diagnosing these cancers that are the problem, but a lack of education on the part of physicians and the lack of public awareness and early screening opportunities.
Cancer in the broader sense of the conversation, or shall I say the potential for cancer, has shown to be very much contagious as it relates to HPV. The Hepatitis viruses have long been known to result in liver and pancreatic cancers. Perhaps we may ultimately find that all cancers are the result of various viruses, but until then, perhaps the ACS should take a bit more pragmatic view on its current position.
" Is Cancer Contagious? ." American Cancer Society :: Information and Resources for Cancer: Breast, Colon, Prostate, Lung and Other Forms. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Aug. 2011. http://www.cancer.org/Cancer/CancerBasics/is-cancer-contagious
"Hepatitis B Foundation: Hepatitis B and Primary Liver Cancer." Hepatitis B Foundation. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Aug. 2011. http://www.hepb.org/professionals
The Oral Cancer Foundation. Web.28 Aug. 2011. http://www.oralcancerfoundation.com/
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Tips to Protect Yourself Against HPV
With HPV (human papillomavirus) being the number one sexually transmitted infection, there are good reasons to take advantage of ways in which you can reduce your risks.
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that there are over 20 million Americans with HPV, and an additional 6.2 million cases diagnosed each year. Since this virus was first identified as being responsible for cervical cancer through the research of Professor Harald zur Hausen, MD in 1984, numerous other cancers have now been identified as the result of HPV.
HPV can cause cervical, vulvar, and vaginal cancers in women; anal cancer in both women and men and penile cancer in men. It has recently been shown to cause head/neck cancers which typically manifest in the tonsils and the base of the tongue. These types of cancers are more typical in males than in females. While it is believed that oral HPV cancers are the result of oral sex, 40 percent of those in a recent John’s Hopkins study had never engaged in oral sex.
So what can you do to reduce your chances of contracting HPV and/or minimizing any potentially negative ramifications of the virus? While it only takes an encounter with one partner to contract HPV, studies have shown that the risks of HPV of greater when someone has a increased number of partners. Give careful consideration to whom you choose to be intimate with. Transmission occurs with intimate skin to skin contact and sexual intercourse in any form is not a prerequisite for acquiring HPV.
Studies have also shown that there is a direct link between smoking and an increased likelihood of persistent disease once HPV is contracted. Smoking is also know to effect the body in numerous ways including its effects on lowering the immune system. So, if you can, quite smoking. I know it’s difficult but consult your doctor for assistance if need be.
Using condoms can help to reduce but does not totally eliminate the possibility for contracting HPV. Since transmission occurs when one comes into contact with an infected area, and since a condom can only cover the penis it is still better than choosing to have unprotected sexual interactions.
Another risk factor for contracting HPV is beginning sexual interactions at an early age. This may be in part due to the fact that more partners may become a factor when beginning at an earlier age. Either consider postponing any sexual encounters yourself, or if you are the parent of a young daughter in particular, talk to her about HPV. No parent ever wants to believe their daughter is having sexual relations as early as many of them are and waiting until she is 15 or 16 may be too late.
One of the most important things that can be done to protect yourself or your child (male or female) against the two most aggressive forms of HPV and those which are responsible for the majority of precancerous and eventually cancerous lesions, is to get vaccinated against HPV. A side benefit to the vaccine is that it also protects against two low risk strains of HPV (types 6 and 11) which cause genital warts.
Talk to your doctor about HPV and ask about receiving the vaccine. While unfortunate, some physicians are not comfortable discussing these topics (unless of course it is a gynecologist but sometimes even then) and may worry about making the patient uncomfortable by initiating the discussion. The best advice is to advocate for yourself.
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that there are over 20 million Americans with HPV, and an additional 6.2 million cases diagnosed each year. Since this virus was first identified as being responsible for cervical cancer through the research of Professor Harald zur Hausen, MD in 1984, numerous other cancers have now been identified as the result of HPV.
HPV can cause cervical, vulvar, and vaginal cancers in women; anal cancer in both women and men and penile cancer in men. It has recently been shown to cause head/neck cancers which typically manifest in the tonsils and the base of the tongue. These types of cancers are more typical in males than in females. While it is believed that oral HPV cancers are the result of oral sex, 40 percent of those in a recent John’s Hopkins study had never engaged in oral sex.
So what can you do to reduce your chances of contracting HPV and/or minimizing any potentially negative ramifications of the virus? While it only takes an encounter with one partner to contract HPV, studies have shown that the risks of HPV of greater when someone has a increased number of partners. Give careful consideration to whom you choose to be intimate with. Transmission occurs with intimate skin to skin contact and sexual intercourse in any form is not a prerequisite for acquiring HPV.
Studies have also shown that there is a direct link between smoking and an increased likelihood of persistent disease once HPV is contracted. Smoking is also know to effect the body in numerous ways including its effects on lowering the immune system. So, if you can, quite smoking. I know it’s difficult but consult your doctor for assistance if need be.
Using condoms can help to reduce but does not totally eliminate the possibility for contracting HPV. Since transmission occurs when one comes into contact with an infected area, and since a condom can only cover the penis it is still better than choosing to have unprotected sexual interactions.
Another risk factor for contracting HPV is beginning sexual interactions at an early age. This may be in part due to the fact that more partners may become a factor when beginning at an earlier age. Either consider postponing any sexual encounters yourself, or if you are the parent of a young daughter in particular, talk to her about HPV. No parent ever wants to believe their daughter is having sexual relations as early as many of them are and waiting until she is 15 or 16 may be too late.
One of the most important things that can be done to protect yourself or your child (male or female) against the two most aggressive forms of HPV and those which are responsible for the majority of precancerous and eventually cancerous lesions, is to get vaccinated against HPV. A side benefit to the vaccine is that it also protects against two low risk strains of HPV (types 6 and 11) which cause genital warts.
Talk to your doctor about HPV and ask about receiving the vaccine. While unfortunate, some physicians are not comfortable discussing these topics (unless of course it is a gynecologist but sometimes even then) and may worry about making the patient uncomfortable by initiating the discussion. The best advice is to advocate for yourself.
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