2023-05-02 13:11:00
A new epidemic is emerging. Indeed, “over the past two decades, there has been a rapid increase in the number of throat cancers in the West”, reports to The Conversation Hisham Mehanna, Professor at the Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences in Birmingham. Which specifies: “In the US and UK it has even become more common than cervical cancer.”
Oropharyngeal cancer epidemic: the human papillomavirus implicated
According to him, this epidemic is due to a sharp increase in a specific type of throat cancer called oropharyngeal cancer (the area around the tonsils and the back of the throat). The main cause of this cancer is the human papillomavirus (HPV) virus.which is also the leading cause of cervical cancer.
Notably contracted during oral sex (fellatio, cunnilingus)“for cancer of the oropharynx, the main risk factor is the number of sexual partners during life”, says the professor. “Those who have had 6 or more oral sex partners in their lifetime are 8.5 times more likely to develop oropharyngeal cancer than those who do not perform oral sex.”
A small number of people fail to get rid of HPV infection (…). And in these patients, the virus is able to replicate continuously (…), some of which can make the host cells cancerous, Hisham Mehanna
As a reminder, human papillomaviruses are the most common sexually transmitted infection. It is estimated that up to 80% sexually active men and women come into contact with HPV one or more times in their lifetime. Particularly contagious, these viruses are transmitted by contact with the skin or mucous membranes between 2 individuals.
However, according to Hisham Mehanna: “Most of us catch HPV infections and are able to eliminate them completely. However, a small number of people fail to get rid of the infection. Perhaps due to a defect in a particular aspect of their immune system.” “But in these patients, the virus is able to replicate continuously and, over time, integrates into random positions in the host’s DNA, some of which can make host cells cancerous.”
Papillomavirus: the importance of vaccination
First recommended for young girls, since January 1, 2021, vaccination against the human papillomavirus is also recommended for boys. When this vaccine is given before the start of sexual life, “its effectiveness in preventing HPV infection is close to 100%”says on its Vaccination Info Service website.
More concretely, in France, vaccination against the infection is advised for girls and boys aged 11 to 14, with a 2-dose schedule. “In addition, as part of catch-up vaccination, vaccination is recommended for young women and young men between 15 and 19 years of age according to a 3-dose schedule”explains the official website.
“There is now more and more evidence that demonstrates the effectiveness of this vaccine to prevent HPV infection in the mouth. There is also evidence to suggest that boys are protected by “herd immunity” in countries with high vaccination coverage for girls (more than 85%)”, reveals Hisham Mehanna after The Conversation. “Taken together, this could hopefully lead within decades to the reduction of oropharyngeal cancer.”
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