Oral cancer virus affects 7 percent of Americans

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Updated: February 28, 2012 8:13AM

About 16 million Americans have oral HPV, a sexually transmitted virus more commonly linked with cervical cancer that also can cause mouth cancer, according to the first nationwide estimate.

HPV — human papilloma virus — is increasingly recognized as a major cause of oral cancers affecting the back of the tongue and tonsil area. Smoking and heavy drinking are also key causes.

Until now, it was not known how many people have oral HPV infections.

Overall, 7 percent of Americans ages 14 to 69 are infected, the study found.

But the results are not cause for alarm. While mouth cancers are on the rise — probably from oral sex — most people with oral HPV will never develop cancer. And most don’t have the kind most strongly linked to cancer. Also, tests for oral HPV are costly and mainly used in research.

Still, experts say the study provides important information for future research that could increase knowledge about who is most at risk for oral cancer and ways to prevent the disease.

Researcher Dr. Maura Gillison said the study “provides us some reassurance” that most people with oral HPV will not get oral cancer. Millions may have oral HPV, but fewer than 15,000 Americans get HPV-linked oral cancer each year.