HPV and its role in oral cancer diagnosis

DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) - The dental commuity is the first line of defense in fighting oral cancer.

What's in a kiss? Depending on its intensity, it could cause oral cancer.  A spike in numbers reveals an epidemic in oral cancers, in fact, a five fold increase.  The human papilloma virus, or HPV, is being blamed.  Heavy kissing and oral sex can be common carriers of the virus.

Local dentist  John T. Green, whose office is on Shroyer Road in the Patterson Park area of Dayton says, " Sexual contact consists of  the compression of membranes and HPV can hide in membranes".

Dentists make routine inspections for oral cancer, that's why regular dental visits are critical.  Green says visual inspections include the patient sticking out his or her tongue, looking at the posterior pharynx, or, the base of the tongue.  Also, palpating, or hand inspection of the lymph nodes because some oral cancers show up in the neck.  Finding oral cancer early can mean  good cure rates.