HPV and Oral Cancer
Overview
- Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a very common virus; nearly 80 million people are currently infected in the United States.1
- HPV infection can cause cancer in the back of the throat, including the base of the tongue and tonsils (called oropharyngeal cancer).2
- HPV is thought to cause 70% of oropharyngeal cancers in the United States.2
- HPV vaccination could prevent more than 90% of cancers caused by HPV from ever developing.3
- Dental professionals have a vested interest in recommending HPV vaccination to their patients.4
References
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Human Papillomavirus (HPV) website. https://www.cdc.gov/hpv/. Accessed February 3, 2022.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. HPV and Oropharyngeal Cancer website. Accessed February 3, 2022. https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/hpv/basic_info/hpv_oropharyngeal.htm.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Cancers Caused by HPV are Preventable website. Accessed February 3, 2022. https://www.cdc.gov/hpv/hcp/protecting-patients.html.
- National HPV Vaccination Roundtable. Cancer Prevention Through HPV Vaccination: An Action Guide for Dental Health Care Providers. http://hpvroundtable.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/DENTAL-Action-Guide-WEB.pdf