BEIJING,
Feb. 2 (Xinhuanet)-- Human papillomavirus, or HPV, the leading cause of cervical
cancer in women, is also a major cause of oral cancer in men, according to a new
study in the United States reported by media Saturday.
The sexually transmitted virus causing cancers of the
mouth and upper throat is probably the result of an increase in oral sex and the
decline in smoking, the study said.
The new study looked at more than 30 years of
National Cancer Institute data on oral cancers. Researchers categorized about
46,000 cases, using a formula to divide them into those caused by HPV and those
not connected to the virus.
They concluded the incidence rates for HPV-related
oral cancers rose steadily in men from 1973 to 2004, becoming about as common as
those from tobacco and alcohol.
However, the only available vaccine against HPV, made
by Merck & Co. Inc., is currently given only to girls and young women.
Now Merck plans this year to ask government
permission to offer the shot to boys.
In related research, Penn State University scientists
reported that cigarette smoke may aggravate HPV and raise the risk of cervical
cancer.
The HPV is the fastest growing sexually transmitted
disease in the nation. Cervical cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related
death in women in developing countries.
According to the American Cancer Society, it was
estimated that 11,150 new cases and 3,670 deaths would be reported in the U.S.
from cervical cancer in 2007.
(Agencies)
