Headline of the Week Weak
Filed under: Headline of the Week
"Oral sex blamed for throat cancer rise"
Say it ain't so!!! CLICK HERE to read the article accompanying this headline.
Oral sex blamed for throat cancer rise
For five gruelling months in 2006 and 2007, Carol Kanga suffered through treatment for a life-threatening case of throat cancer linked to an unlikely source: a sexually transmitted viral infection.
Unable to swallow food or water during chemotherapy and radiation treatment, Kanga was fed through a stomach tube. Her one respite came on Thanksgiving, when she savoured a single spoonful of weak broth.
"The radiation basically burns the skin off the outside and inside of your throat," said Kanga, 52. "It's like there's a fire inside your neck."
Kanga's treatment was successful, but the virus that struck her is causing increasing concern among some researchers who think it is causing a small-scale epidemic of throat cancer.
That virus, scientists have proved only in the last two years, is human papillomavirus, or HPV - the same virus that's behind most cases of cervical cancer.
With 6,000 cases per year and an annual increase of up to 10 per cent in men younger than 60, some researchers say the HPV-linked throat cancers could overtake cervical cancer in the next decade.
"It's almost a new disease, in a sense," said Dr Ezra Cohen, an oncologist at the University of Chicago Medical Centre. "It's now becoming a dominant sub-type of the disease that we see in our clinic."
The HPV infections likely took root decades ago as the Baby Boomers were reaching adulthood, and only now are spurring a rise in throat cancer cases, mostly among men and women in their 50s.
No one understands the precise reason for the increase, though experts suspect it's linked to changes in sexual practices that emerged in the 1960s and '70s. For example, oral sex is a known risk factor for HPV-related throat cancers, and studies have shown that people who have come of age since the 1950s are more likely to have engaged in oral sex than those who were born earlier.
"Those people were in their teens during the sexual revolution, so they may be leading the wave," said Dr Maura Gillison, a professor of oncology and epidemiology at the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Centre who has published numerous studies indicating that HPV-related throat cancer is a distinct type of disease.
The virus targets a specific portion of the upper throat called the oropharynx, which includes the tonsils and base of the tongue. Just a decade ago, doctors believed nearly all such cancers were linked with smoking or extremely heavy drinking.
Last year, however, Gillison's team published a major study that found stark differences between the risky behaviours of throat cancer patients with HPV and those without. The HPV-positive cancer patients tended to have had higher numbers of sex partners than the others and were far more likely to have had multiple oral-sex partners.
The virus-linked cancer appears somewhat less deadly than throat cancers that arise from smoking or drinking. A paper published this year found that 96 per cent of HPV-positive patients survived at least two years after diagnosis, compared with 62 per cent survival for HPV-negative cancers.
"They have a better prognosis, but these are still very aggressive cancers," said Dr Marshall Posner, medical director of head and neck oncology at the Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Centre in Boston.
While doctors had hoped for an overall drop in throat cancer as the percentage of Americans who smoke declined, the rise of HPV-related throat cancers seems to be offsetting any such benefit.
Gillison's group tested hundreds of head and neck tumours that doctors began saving in the early 1970s, long before anyone knew such cancers might be linked to HPV. The work showed that the number of HPV-positive tumours increased by about 1 per cent a year on average, though the trend has quickened in the last decade, especially in men younger than 60.
The virus thrives in the outer layer of skin and is transmitted mostly by skin-to-skin contact, researchers think. Sexual transmission tends to cause infection near the site of contact; intercourse is linked with cervical cancer, while oral sex can cause cancer of the upper throat.
Recent increases in HPV-positive throat cancers could be an aftershock of changes in sexual behaviour that began decades ago. A landmark 1994 study of sexual behaviour showed that oral sex had become commonplace only in the generations born in the 1950s or later. Fewer than 60 per cent of people born in the 1930s were found to have had oral sex, compared with more than 80 per cent of people born since 1950.
"The older people simply did not do it as much," said Edward Laumann, a University of Chicago professor of sociology who led the National Health and Social Life Survey.
"It's a very complicated social story that nobody's really worked out in detail," he said.
Other causes may have contributed to the spread of HPV cancers, including the increased movement of people around the country and the world in the last half-century, experts said. Scientists aren't even sure yet whether the virus might be spread by kissing, though data suggest oral sex is a major route of transmission.
One implication of the cancer trend is that oral sex does not constitute "safe sex," Kanga said.
"We can't be afraid to talk about this," Kanga said. "The message that oral sex carries risks is just not out there."
Conservative groups say the emergence of HPV-related throat cancer is an additional argument for abstaining from sex until marriage.
But many researchers focus on expanded use of the HPV vaccine, which since 2006 has been recommended for girls ages 11 to 12. Just as the vaccine lessens the risk of cervical cancer for those girls, it may offer protection from HPV-positive throat cancer, though studies have not yet addressed that question.
Vaccine maker Merck & Co hopes to submit an application this year to the US Food and Drug Administration for use of its HPV vaccine in males. Although the company's studies will not show specifically whether the vaccine protects against throat cancer, they should reveal whether the shots prevent infection with HPV.
"We expect the vaccine to work just as well in male and female populations," said Dr Richard Haupt, director of Merck's clinical program for the vaccine, Gardasil, which was developed using technology pioneered in Australia.
haha why is that picture up on there!?
YES!!!! a new excuse to tell my husband why i will not SWALLOW. THANKS PEREZ!!!!!
WTF? What happened to the regular news?
P.S. GAVIN ROSSDALE ROCKS!!!!!!!!!
first
first!
yet another reason not to feel guilty for not getting any.
See Malario, you better be careful who you blow in the bath house!
I am appalled. Someone save us all.
this doesnt surpise me, people are more sexually active and younger now a days and dong think to use protection!
i guess i'm getting cancer
OMG Is that Chasity Bono?
that's it, i'm done. i'm never sucking another cock again in life.
Re: Bush –
OMG YES GAVIN ROSSDALE DOES ROCK I LOVE HIS MUSIC AND GOT HIS NEW CD B4 IT CAME OUT
I wonder if Monica is OK. Do you think Hilly will be ok, she only goes down on fur burgers.
Perez don't swallow, spit, like when you are having your teeth being pulled for your boyfriend.
NOOOOOOO!!! Don't tell me this… I have been waiting to suck a fat one… but now, im not so sure anymore….. sad
Get your Guardicil Vaccine people! It may be pricey but it's worth it. I don't know why this comes as a surprise to people. STDs grow in mucous membranes, not just on your naughty bits! This includes eyes, nose, ears, mouth and throat. These problems are certainly avoidable with proper sex eduction. Teaching abstinance is not the answers. Everyone should be aware of the risks and precautions they should take to stay safe. Condoms come is a wide variety of fun flavors!
Promiscuous people out there watch out!
lol
Merck the pharmaceutical company probably put this out to get everyone to get the vaccine. The HPV vaccine is a TOTAL CON. By the time you finish with the vaccinations you are over $900 in debt. It's a con because there are over 100 HPV viruses and the vaccine only addresses 1-2. The likelihood that the vaccine would prevent the virus you get is 1 out of 100 yet you have to deal with the side effects and cost of the virus. The solution? Stop being promiscuous….be selective and safe.
Cough….cough…cough..frtttt….grrrg….gggrrrtttfffffff….cough, I'm screwed.
And sadly about 85% of the american population has HPV.
All i gotta say is - just be careful who you mess with…
thats the lady that had the inside and outside of her throat lasered.. shes the poster-woman for throat HPV i hope she gets paid every time they use her or her likeness in the next decade lol also..it said that the throat HPV was more likely if people have orgies and multiple sex partners
Less stories like this, Perez–
OMG. She looks like Perez! I bet this is one of his mom's long, lost kids that she gave up years ago.. (after she aborted the first one…) They have got to be related.. look at the fat.. and she were a male, she would have have the same "gay" face as fatty perez.. .. and fatty perez only wishes he could give and receive oral sex but NOBODY wants that skank thing near their weener.
THANKS SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO MUCH PEREZ FOR LETTING US US KNOW, FOR THE FIRST TIME , YOU THOUGHT US SOMETHING USEFUL. YOU SHOULD DO THAT MORE OFTEN , YOU ARE THE FIRST SITE THAT SAID IT.
BROWA WOOO
Re: sonny –
The vaccine prevents the few types THAT CAUSE CANCER. Many of the strains of HPV are pretty much harmless. It's not a con. It's worth the $600-900. Get a job, and you won't be "in debt." Cancer treatment costs a hell of a lot more. AND! There are no side effects anyway, except a little soreness at the injection site. Big deal.
this is crazy
Honestly girls who really enjoys swallowing that shit.JUST SAY NO,we don,t need to be doing that sucking and swallowing shit for no man.Heres something new ,tell him to give YOU a Orgasam,only a real man can make a woman come,more than half can,t do it.
She looks like she could suck a golf ball through a garden hose.
TO : CASS
YOU PREFER PUT YOUR HEAD UNDER THE SAND RATHER THAN KNOWING SOMETHING AS IMPORTANT AS THIS, SHAME ON YOU , I RATHER KNOW ABOUT THAT SO ONCE ANGIN THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU PEREZ
AS I SAID BEFORE
TO : CASS
YOU PREFER PUT YOUR HEAD UNDER THE SAND RATHER THAN KNOWING SOMETHING AS IMPORTANT AS THIS, SHAME ON YOU , I RATHER KNOW ABOUT THAT SO ONCE ANGIN THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU PEREZ
Wow, that is some serious shit, for real.
so is colon cancer the next cancer to be linked to HPV and sex, and preventable with the Merck vaccine…It´s so great that these studies are coming out now and not before the vaccine was available! Or is fear the newest method for "teaching" safe sex…
zzzz wow zzzzzzzzzz
zzzzz that explainz alot zzzzzzzzzzzzzz
zzzzzz all my friendz parentz have throat cancer zzzzzzzzzzzzz
zzzzzzzzz bunch of hozzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Re: Furby – HAHAHAHAHAAAA!!!
THANK YOU PEREZ, YOU'RE A GENIUS. I HAVE AN EXCUSE TO NOT GIVE MY MAN A BLOWJOB. MY TMJ IS KILLING ME ANYWAY.
Cancer for cock suckers. How interesting for the medical workers, when the men start pouring in for HPV immunizations.
OMFG!!! all us cum-swillers better beware. or else well end up like this fat cunt. gosh if i cant have fat hairy cocks in my mouth what am i gonna do??? mario, no more cock sucking for u buddy boy
You have to read this.
oh i bet perez is getting his throat checked. trust me that guys piehole is used for more than talking.
Yeah, but whatta way to go!
Dang! Score another point 4 monogamy. On the plus side, oral sex is great for toning facial muscles, so stick w/ ur partner peeps
alice says –" And sadly about 85% of the american has HPV"
So should i stick to the British then…they're okay right??
sigh…. you people are so naive
you'll believe anything that's on the internet
this story is obviously fake
Fuck, I'm dead.
Seems like if this were true, you would have been dead a long time ago.
Why would anyone let this very large girl suck their winky……
Joke: why do fat girls give good blow jobs? because they have to.
Re: sonny – Get your facts straight - of the 100 types only 30 can be passed via sexual contact, and Gardasil 'protects' against 4 not 2 types.
2 high risks types which cause 70 percent cervical cancers, and 2 low risk types which cause virtually all (90 percent) genital warts. it is not a con.
Perez, I never realized you had such long hair. You must swallow, if you put your pic up there. What? It's not you? Awww come on, it is so!
This is just greaaaaat. I contracted HPV when I was 16, now I'm 22. For all you assuming shit, at my first gyno visit EVER, the gyno found abnormal cells in my cervix, hence HPV, thought to have gotten it from my first boyfriend. A year later after 3 biopsies, it cleared…and recently it came back. Its so scary to read this. I'm being str8 up because this is a very common sti and although most strains don't do anything and clear if you maintain a very healthy immune system, it can be fatal if left untreated. Unfortunately I can't get the vaccine because I was already diagnosed with it years ago (a little too late scientists) lol. But please Ladies and Gents, take precaution, and if you do have HPV strain do biopsies regularly before it can turn to cancer. HPV sucks man! Its "there" but not really "there" lol. Be safe!
gross, man…
Re: sonny – The vaccine is for 4 of the types which are the two that cause most cases of genital warts and for the two that are the highest risk for causing cervical cancer. It should only cost you $360 for the vaccine and the price of the office visit, so if you paid $900 you got robbed.
Sluts get what they deserve…
Can u see my avatar?
For you ignorant fools:
Yes, it is possible. Children born to HPV positive mothers can acquire the disease (in the form of genital warts, subclinical genital infections, or as recurrent respiratory papillomatosis. (usually symptomatic by 2 years)
2. It is transmitted through direct sexual contact (primarily vaginal and anal, but oral sex is also a risk) AND other sexual activity with intimate contact (genital rubbing, activity causing friction) — HPV is passed from skin to skin initimate contact, ejaculation or insertive sex is not absolutely required to transmit HPV
3. NO. Contrary to popular myth (and many of the answers above), once you have HPV you don't automatically have it forever. Many people's immune systems clear/cure the virus spontaneously. It is more common among younger women. It is possible for an infection to be persistent, but the majority of HPV infections (>80%) in women aged 15-19 clear within 18 months.
4. a) yes (see #1), though it is rare for mother to child transmission, or depending on your definition of 'no sexual contact ever' it could be acquired from other intimate activities.
b) Yes, see 4a)
HPV is often a 'silent' infection, because many people with HPV will have no obvious signs of infection. Sometimes warts can be present but may not be visible if they are inside your body or if they are on the skin but are too small to be seen.
For women, the cervix is a common place for HPV infection. This infection can be either active or inactive. With an inactive infection, the cells appear normal under a microscope and the woman may never know she was infected.
However, with an active infection, changes can be seen in the cervical cells under a microscope during a Pap test. An active infection can follow one of two courses:
The abnormal cells become normal again and the infection becomes inactive or is cleared from your body by your immune system. However, there is always the chance that an inactive infection can become active again, for reasons that aren't clearly understood.
The abnormal cells slowly progress to cervical cancer.
Regular Pap testing can help to identify changes in the cells of the cervix, allowing them to be treated or followed more closely. If these changes are not identified early, there is a possibility that they can progress to cancer.
blame me for it all! goodluck and take care! uh seriously! goodluck!
Re: bob – what are you, 12?? Callate.
Re: Kim – Number 50, you say your boyfriend gave it to you. But actually, from now on any guy who fucks you picks it up FROM YOU. Then carries your HPV on to to all the women he is later intimate with.
So the bagina hole is the reservoir of HPV, and promiscuous women, as well as men, spead the disease when they spread their legs.
are u scared mario cuz of all that dick you suck??
WHO THE HELL WOULD STICK THEIR DICK IN THAT FAT FUCK'S NASTY MOUTH????!!!!!!
EWWWWWWW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
GAURDISIL CAUSES INFERTILITY AND SEIZURES
LOOK IT UP
THE PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANIES AND GOVERNMENT DON'T GIVE A SHIT
Thanks Perez for posting info on this…it's nice to see that people are finally taking notice that oral cancer is a deadly disease that affects thousands of people each year. And now with the connection to HPV, it's affecting more and more people without the traditional risk factors of cigarette or alcohol abuse. You rock for spreading the word!
THANK YOU for posting this! We need to get the word out and make sure the HPV vaccine is available for everyone — HPV is known to cause anal cancers in addition to throat and cervical cancers!
Ohhh…..thats bad news. I love swallowing. Oh…