Oral cancer rates in the UK have risen by about 25% in the last 10 years.

Experts believe the reason for the dramatic incline in oral cancer cases is due to high-risk strains of HPV. About ten years ago, there were around 4,400 reported cases of oral cancer in the UK. That number has now risen above 6,000 cases, for the first time ever!

Cancer Research UK reports that eight out of ten people in the UK will be infected with HPV at some point in their lives. HPV infections usually live on the fingers, hands, mouth, and genitals. Strains of the HPV virus may often go undetected. They can sometimes cause harmless infections that may go away on their own. Other strains of the virus are more dangerous and can cause cell changes that can eventually turn into cancer. HPV-16 is one of the high-risk strains.

Researchers report an increase in the number of HPV-16-positive cases of oral cancer. Oral cancer tends to be easier to treat when it is HPV related. These cancer patients tend to be younger and less likely to be smokers than oral cancer patients who do not have HPV.

Watch this video to see Detroit dentist, Dr. Joe Nemeth talk about HPV. If you have any questions, please contact our office at 248-357-3100.