Research Backs HPV as Cause of Mouth Cancer

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There is a growing body of evidence to support a link between exposure to the Human Papilloma Virus and an increased risk of mouth cancer. A recent study has found this significant connection between mouth cancer and the virus, which can be passed on through sexual contact.

Researchers at the University College London Eastman Dental Institute, found that HPV was a major risk factor for mouth cancer. HPV is passed sexually, but many people are unaware of the association between the virus and an increased risk of cancer. The virus is also a cause of cervical cancer in women.

Professor Stephen Porter, from the Eastman Dental Institute, said that new reports suggest a strong link between HPV and mouth cancer. In the past, the two major risk factors were alcohol and smoking, however, as more and more young people are diagnosed with the disease, researchers are finding an increasingly strong connection between the virus and mouth cancer.

The British Dental Health Foundation has launched a month-long campaign to raise awareness of the disease. Mouth Cancer Action Month will run across the UK throughout November and it is hoped the campaign could save thousands of lives, by educating people about the causes and symptoms of the disease and encouraging members of the public to attend screening sessions. Screening clinics are being held across the country and are free of charge. The test is very quick and simple and does not cause any pain. Early detection and treatment can increase survival rates by up to 90 percent.

 

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