Debosmita Ghosh • 13 Aug 2024
Oral Cancer Risk Factors: Experts Share How HPV Increases The Risk And Preventive Measures
Know How HPV Increases The Risk Of Oral Cancer And Its Preventive Measures
Oral cancer, also known as mouth cancer is a cancer that develops in any part of the mouth or the oral cavity. This cancer can occur on the lips, gums, tongue, inner lining of the cheeks, roof of the mouth and floor of the mouth. Mouth cancer is one of the types of cancers that are grouped under head and neck cancers. There are several factors that increase your risk of oral cancer.
Some of the risk factors are; tobacco use which includes cigarettes, cigars, pipes, chewing tobacco and snuff, heavy alcohol use, sun exposure to your lips, weakened immune system and a sexually transmitted virus called human papillomavirus (HPV).
Speaking to Times Now, Dr Anita Malik, Senior Consultant- Oncology at Fortis Hospital, Noida shares how HPV increases the risk of oral cancer.
HPV has increasingly been recognized as a significant risk factor for oral cancer, particularly oropharyngeal cancer, which affects the base of the tongue, tonsils and oropharynx.
Dr Malik said, “HPV-related oral cancers are distinct from those caused by traditional risk factors such as tobacco and alcohol use, and they are most commonly associated with HPV type 16. The virus can be transmitted through oral sexual contact and individuals with multiple sexual partners are at a higher risk.”
She adds that unlike cancers caused by smoking, HPV-related oral cancers often affect younger, non-smoking individuals and can have a better prognosis if detected early.
Dr.Vigyan Mishra, Chief of lab-Neuberg Diagnostics at Noida shared some of the common symptoms of oral cancer linked to HPV:
- Persistent sore throat or hoarseness
- Difficulty swallowing
- Unexplained weight loss
- Lump in the neck or throat
- Ear pain
- Persistent cough or sore tongue
- Non-healing sores in the mouth.
Precautions for Oral Cancer
- Avoiding risky sexual behaviours, such as having multiple partners or engaging in unprotected oral sex. This can help to reduce the risk of HPV transmission.
- Regular dental check-ups are crucial, as dentists can often spot early signs of oral cancer.
Preventive Measures for Oral Cancer
Dr Malik suggests that vaccination against HPV is one of the most effective methods to reduce the risk of HPV-related cancers, including oral cancer. The HPV vaccine, typically administered in adolescence before individuals become sexually active, can significantly decrease the likelihood of contracting the high-risk strains of HPV linked to cancer.
Other ways to prevent the disease are:
- Reducing the use of tobacco and alcohol: Reducing or eliminating the use of tobacco and alcohol, which are known risk factors, can lower the risk of oral cancer.
- Oral hygiene: Maintaining good oral hygiene can help in the early detection and prevention of oral health issues that might lead to cancer.
- Public awareness and early screening: These steps are important in combating the rising incidence of HPV-related oral cancers.
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