The Law of Unintended Circumstances

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From 1988 to 2004, the incidence of human papillomavirus (HPV) cancers of the tongue and tonsil, has increased 225%.  The number of oropharynx cancers is expected to rise to 8500 new cases annually by 2020.  While not a large number, this means that its incidence will surpass the number of cervical cancers experienced by women.

The graph shows the annual number of cases of ...
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Why?   This is an unintended result of the sexual revolution of the 60s and 70s.  Oral sex has rendered it possible for this virus to reach a new destination.  Right now 20 million Americans are infected with HPV, with 6 million new subjects added each year.  It is known to cause cervical cancer in women; the second leading cancer death for women world-wide.  ¼ of mouth cancers and 35% of throat cancers are caused by HPV infection; men 40 to 55 have the highest prevalence.  (Read the first line of this paragraph again.)

 

It is unknown if Gardasil, the approved HPV vaccine (Merck & Co.) for girls up to age 26, will work.  Moreover, only ¼ of all young women have received all THREE doses that are required to provide protection.  It is approved for males 9 to 26 to preclude genital warts and anal cancer (for both sexes).  (Read the first line of the second paragraph again.)  As of now, Merck has no designs to commission a study for its use against oropharyngeal cancers.

The only other fact we have is that the higher the number of lifetime partners, the higher the cancer incidence.  Note that most HPV infections do NOT manifest symptoms- so only testing can verify if one is infected or not.

The good news is that HPV-caused oral cancer has a five year survival rate of 85+%, much higher than those caused by radiation exposure or alcohol and/or tobacco use.

 

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17 thoughts on “The Law of Unintended Circumstances”

  1. I heard a report about this on the TV news. I think it is a good thing to make people aware of this danger so that they can be tested and screened.
    This is not good news but I appreciate you writing this article. Information can save lives.

    1. I guess I have been following this topic because I have a friend who is suffering from the ailment. At the time, I thought (like most of us probably did) that it was related to tobacco and alcohol use. Now, I’m not so sure…
      Thanks for your additions, Janette. And, I did not know the vaccine was approved for guys, either!
      Roy

  2. Hi Roy,

    Thanks for spreading awareness about this. I did not know it was getting this bad. Wow! It is very scary to know that this type of cancer is getting out of control when it can be avoided.

    Tisha

  3. Thanks for posting such a well-researched and well-presented (as usual) article on a topic that is most likely not water cooler type conversation. People need to be informed about this growing issue. HPV, in my opinion, is not given enough face time (I couldn’t resist) in that it is preventable!! I sat through my share of sex ed classes in school and not once did anyone (covering both abstinence and protection) say to insist on condoms because it can help prevent cancer along with unwanted pregnancy and STDs.

    Each of us is responsible for our own health and wellness. Your article is a great step in providing more education which leads to choice by individuals ~ choose prevention, people!!

    1. Tambre- you know I love those play on words!
      And, that is exactly why I posted it. As soon as I began noticing the data, the causation was clear. We have met the enemy and he/she is US!
      Thanks for the great addition to the post!
      Roy

  4. It makes me wonder about the cost of freedom and the frenetic search for love and acceptance and what that means to people’s health long term. So many people believe there is no consequence for their actions but….thanks for sharing.
    One more thing to make sure my grandchildren understand.

    1. Roberta- I am sure we never considered it. After all, it was the sexual revolution and NO one knew about these viri! Now, we’ve got HPV, AIDS, and I’m sure a whole new complement that will come back to haunt our children. Inoculation is the way to go!
      Roy

  5. This is very interesting, Roy! It is a good example of how changes affect the future (The title you chose for this post is an appropriate one)

    The correlation between the sixties sexual revolution and the age range of the highest prevalence is straight forward unless there was a chance for the disease being misidentified in previous times. Could be this the case?

    1. Gustavo- the cancer rates are increasing. And, the incidence of oral sex was seemingly much lower in the early part of the 20th century. I don’t know about before those times- but we weren’t living as long, either- so the cancer may not have had a chance to develop.
      Whatever the reasons- we need to inoculate our young!
      Thanks for dropping in and commenting.
      Roy

  6. Hi Roy
    Thanks for raising such an important topic and one that many would shy away from. We do have our fair share of maladies as a result of the sexual revolution and this is one that certainly demands more attention and exposure.
    Having given my fair share of Gardasil injections I hope Merck do some much needed follow up research on the efficacy of the programme and HPV in general, but specifically in male community. I guess because of the good survival rate they are looking at other avenues to get more bang for their buck – sad but no doubt true!

    1. Thanks for that input, Maureen. I understand there is data for male injections- up to the age of 29 or so (yes, it really is higher than that for females).
      I just worry that we won’t inoculate our young- and have a cancer epidemic to deal with as they age.
      Roy

  7. Wow! I had no idea about this risk, Roy! I’m so glad you brought this issue up! An increase of 225% in cases is frightening!

    The more education and awareness, the more we ask for the vaccines!… which is why this post will be shared widely! =)

  8. So many different cancers and treatments. It is good that you bring awareness to this Roy. You are a wealth of information.

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