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In a special report this week (link below) the Canadian Cancer Society said that mouth and throat cancers related to the human papilloma virus (HPV) are rising quickly, and especially among Canadian men.
The report says that this year some 4,400 cases of HPV cancer will be diagnosed in Canadians and a quarter of them will die (1,200).
“This report shows us for the first time how many Canadians are being affected by HPV cancers,” says Dr Robert Nuttall, Assistant Director, Health Policy, Canadian Cancer Society. “These cancers are largely preventable through vaccination. In the moment it takes to vaccinate your children, you are helping to protect them from cancer in the future.”
Between 1992 and 2012 HPV related mouth and throat cancers increased by a dramatic 56 percent in males, and 17 percent in females.
The Canadian Cancer Society says getting the HPV vaccine is a safe and effective way to prevent the disease and its spread.
The Society says most sexually active people will get HPV at some point. Most people never know they have it, and in many cases it clears in two years, however some infections become serious and cause cancer.
There are 100 types of HPV, and at least 25 are known or suspected of causing cancer such as
- -all cases of cervical cancers
- 25%–35% of oropharyngeal and oral cavity (mouth and throat) cancers
- 80%–90% of anal cancers
- 40% of vaginal and vulvar cancers
- 40%–50% of penile cancers
HPV vaccines are available to all girls in Canada through publicly-funded school-based programmes throughout all provinces and territories Canada, but is only available to boys in six provinces.
In spite of the wide availability, coverage rates range from 43% to 91% across the country. The Society urges schools and health professionals to promote the vaccine as a safe and effective cancer prevention strategy. The Society is also calling on those provinces and territories that haven’t already done so to expand free vaccination programs to boys.
Additional information-sources
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