Epidemiologists use their heads (and necks) to assess HPV public health

Canadian epidemiologists provide yet another reason to mandate more widespread use of the HPV vaccine: head and neck cancer are on the rise because of HPV.

"Over the past 20 years, we have just seen this wave of patients that are younger people, that are healthy, that are non-smokers and non-drinkers that are developing cancers of the tonsil and the back of the tongue," head and neck surgeon Dr. Anthony Nichols of the London Health Sciences Centre tells CTV News.

Around 2,000 cases of oral cancer are currently being diagnosed each year in Canada, two-thirds of which are thought to be caused by HPV transmission through oral sex. HPV can also cause cervical, anal and penile cancer, and genital warts in both sexes.

The news reflects a different — and much needed — application of epidemiology, says ACSH’s Dr. Elizabeth Whelan. “Epidemiologists are best known and most effective for gauging sudden surges in diseases. The Canadian public health officials noted significant changes in the populations affected by the disease. Most young people mistakenly believe that oral sex does not pose a health threat because it ‘isn’t really sex.’ Clearly, this alarming trend is something we must keep an eye on.”