Dentists and physicians have known for years that alcohol and tobacco use were major risk factors in the development of oral cancer. Most thought that this increased oral cancer risk was mostly limited to individuals over 40. This is still true for alcohol and tobacco, but a new risk factor has been identified in younger adults.
Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) has been implicated in cervical cancer for years, but now is strongly associated with oral cancer in young adults. Individuals carrting HPV are 32 times more likely to develop oral cancer. This is about 10 times higher then the risks of alcohol and tobacco useage. Most young adults are unaware of this risk.
Sexual tansmission is key here. The current published risk factors for HPV includes anyone older then 12 who is sexually active or has had more then three sexual partners.
Terry L. Wostrel DDS Rocky View Dental Care
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