Researchers affiliated with an international study have reported that oral infection with human papilloma virus (HPV) is associated with the development of head and neck cancers. The details of this study appeared in the May 10, 2007 issue of The New England Journal of Medicine (content.nejm.org/cgi/content/full/356/19/1993).
The Technical Meeting report, Geneva, 16-18 February, reported that 20-24% of ALL cancers in women from Latin America, Southwest Asia, and Sub-Saharan Africa are attributable to HPV.
It reported that HPV role demonstrated in cancers of: the cervix, anus, rectum, penis, oropharyngeal tract, larynx and aerodigestive tract, non-melanoma skin cancers. It further reported that HPV caused >50% of all anogenital cancers (40,000 cases/year); penile cancer, 70%; 1,400/yr; oropharyngeal cancers, 20%; larynx and aerodigestive tract, 10%; and esophageal cancer 2.5/100k in US, but >200/100k in some countries.
Johns Hopkins says 25% of head and neck cancers are caused by HPV.
Almost all of it in non-smokers/non-drinkers may be. Recent data at several institutions worldwide shows HPV in up to 50% of breast cancer biopsies.
There's lots more, of course, including RRP.
This should be enough, we think, to get people's attention.
