We’ve mentioned before that your mouth serves as a window to your overall health, as it can reveal signs and symptoms of other illnesses that affects the entire body. On top of that, many links have been found between a number of oral health issues and other serious diseases like cancer. One such link is between human papillomavirus (HPV), a viral infection, and oropharyngeal cancer. But how are these two issues related?

What is HPV?

HPV is an extremely common infection, primarily passed sexually or through other skin-to-skin contact. When infection occurs in the mouth of throat, that’s known as oral HPV. Some research indicates that approximately 10% of men and 4% of women have oral HPV and, while most people clear the infection within a couple of years, it is possible for it to persist for much longer.  

While oral HPV is typically symptomless, in some cases warts on the lips, mouth or throat can occur. These warts can lead to persistent sore throat, hoarse voice or difficulty swallowing.  

What is oropharyngeal cancer?

Oropharyngeal cancer is an oral cancer that occurs in the middle section of the throat – the pharynx. Your pharynx is responsible for the creation of saliva, keeps your mouth and throat moist, and aids in the digestion of food.

Symptoms of oropharyngeal cancer include:

• Sore throat that won’t go away

• Pain or difficulty swallowing

• Trouble moving your tongue or opening your mouth all the way

• Unexplained weight loss

• Voice changes

• Lumps in the back of your throat, mouth or neck

How are they connected?

HPV is thought to be responsible for up to 70% of oropharyngeal cancers in North America. As HPV can infect the mouth and throat, lingering infection can, after several years, cause cancers to develop in the back of the throat. Many people will eliminate the virus via their immune system within one to two years. However, some forms of the virus can persist and lead to precancerous lesions or cancer.

Fortunately, receiving the HPV vaccine goes a long way toward protecting against developing oropharyngeal cancers. To be most effective, vaccination should occur before becoming infected with HPV.  

Considering this, as well as the fact that younger people tend to respond better to the vaccine than older people, the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) strongly recommends that Canadians receive their HPV vaccination between the ages of 9 and 20.  

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