Trust Your Gut When Unusual Symptoms Emerge
- For nearly a decade, Selene Brown lived with a white spot on her tongue that dentists initially dismissed as harmless, though her instincts told her otherwise. After years of surveillance and pushing for further testing, she was diagnosed with oral cancer.
- Brown underwent surgery and radiation for treatment. Radiation Oncologist Dr. Subhakar Mutyala explains that radiation is “a treatment where you don’t feel the treatment itself. Now, sometimes, you might feel the place where we place the tumor. If we’re placing applicators in the cancer, you might feel that. Or if you’re lying on a table and we’re holding you still, you might feel that. But the actual treatment is just ionizing energy.”
- According to the National Cancer Institute, head and neck cancer patients receiving radiotherapy may experience side effects such as fatigue and hair loss, but they may also have side effects specific to the mouth, including difficulty swallowing.
- According to the National Cancer Institute, HPV is linked to several cancers, including tongue, cervical, and throat cancers. Fortunately, HPV-related throat cancers tend to respond well to treatment, particularly when addressed with a combination of radiation and chemotherapy.
- “Probably less than 1 percent of the population who get infected with HPV happen to have the cancer-causing virus that somehow their immune system fails to clear, and over 15 to 20 years it develops from a viral infection into a tumor and cancer,” Dr. Allen Ho, a head and neck surgeon at Cedars-Sinai, explains.
- The HPV vaccine—such as Gardasil 9—protects against nine strains of the virus, including HPV 16, which is responsible for 92% of head and neck cancers. It’s a powerful tool in cancer prevention.
“At the time, I did not really think anything about it,” Brown told Northern Ireland World.
“I just knew something was not quite right,” Brown said.
So, she pushed for more testing, and that’s when she learned the truth.
“I was diagnosed with cancer on Good Friday,” Brown said as she struggled to accept the gravity of her diagnosis.
“I will never forget that moment. Your whole world stops, but I tried to stay positive and focus on getting fit for surgery,” she explained further.
Brown says she needed both surgery and radiation to treat her cancer. She shared her story to encourage others to pay attention to any unsuspecting changes in their body because early detection can make all the difference.
“Early detection is key. Go to your regular check-ups. If something feels strange, get it checked out. I have been given a second chance at life, and I am so grateful,” Brown explained.
While specific details regarding Brown’s tongue cancer remain undisclosed, many oral cancers are associated with the human papillomavirus (HPV).
According to the National Cancer Institute, HPV is associated with several cancers, including cervical and throat cancers. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) explains that HPV-related cancers occur in areas where the virus is commonly found, such as the cervix, vagina, vulva, penis, anus, and oropharynx (the back of the throat, including the base of the tongue and tonsils).
Fortunately, HPV-related throat cancers tend to respond well to treatment, especially when addressed with radiation and chemotherapy. Preventive tools like the HPV vaccine—such as Gardasil 9—offer protection against nine strains of the virus, including HPV 16, which is responsible for the majority of head and neck cancers.
WATCH: What does radiotherapy feel like for the patient?
What Brown’s Radiotherapy Experience Was Like?
When oral cancer patients receive radiation treatment, the side effects can mirror other well-known cancer treatment side effects, such as tiredness and potential hair loss, but some side effects will be more concentrated on the mouth and throat.
According to the National Cancer Institute, typical side effects of radiation to the head and neck may include:
- Fatigue
- Hair loss
- Changes to the skin or sense of taste
- Difficulty swallowing
- Mouth issues
- A less active thyroid gland
“Radiation therapy is actually ionizing energy, where energy goes through your body, essentially causes DNA damage,” Radiation Oncologist Dr. Subhakar Mutyala explained to SurvivorNet.
“It is a treatment where you don’t feel the treatment itself. Now, sometimes, you might feel the place where we place the tumor. If we’re placing applicators in the cancer, you might feel that. Or if you’re lying on a table and we’re holding you still, you might feel that. But the actual treatment is just ionizing energy,” Dr. Mutyala continued.
Expert Resources on HPV
- Having Oral Sex With Multiple Partners Can Increase Risk for Throat Cancer, Says New Study
- ‘Controversial’ HPV Vaccine Shown to be Highly Effective in Wiping Out Cervical Cancer
- A Major New Effort Announced to Vaccinate Young Boys Against HPV and Cancers Linked to Sex
- Anti-Vaxxers Spread Misinformation, Thwarting Cancer Prevention Made Possible by HPV Vaccine
- Cancer Doctor Explains Why Her Young Kids Are Getting the HPV Vaccine
- Busting the Myths About the HPV Vaccine
HPV-Linked Head and Neck Cancers Have Surged 300% Since the 1980s, Experts Warn
The rate of HPV-related head and neck cancers has skyrocketed over the past few decades—a trend that has medical experts sounding the alarm.
“From the 1980s to the 2010s, the rate of HPV-related head and neck cancers has gone up by 300 percent,” said Dr. Ted Teknos, a head and neck cancer specialist and president and scientific director of University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center in Cleveland, Ohio, in an interview with SurvivorNet.
While not all oral cancers are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV)—the most common sexually transmitted infection in the U.S.—there is a well-established link between the virus and certain types of head and neck cancers.
RELATED: Why the HPV Vaccine Is So Important in Preventing Cancer
WATCH: Understanding the Human Papillomavirus
According to Dr. Allen Ho, a head and neck surgeon at Cedars-Sinai, HPV infection is incredibly common among Americans.
“The vast majority of humans in the United States, both men and women, will eventually get infected with HPV,” Dr. Ho told SurvivorNet.
However, only a small fraction of those infected are at risk of developing cancer.
“The important thing to know about HPV is that there are many different strains, and only a couple of them tend to be more cancer-inducing,” Dr. Ho explained.
“Probably less than 1 percent of the population who get infected happen to have the cancer-causing virus that somehow their immune system fails to clear, and over 15 to 20 years it develops from a viral infection into a tumor and cancer.”
Treatment for HPV-related oral cancers often involves surgery to remove the tumor, but may also include chemotherapy, radiation, or targeted drug therapies. In advanced cases, these treatments can affect a patient’s ability to eat or speak, although rehabilitation therapy can help many regain these essential functions.
The rise in HPV-related cancers underscores the importance of prevention, early detection, and public awareness—especially when it comes to the life-saving potential of the HPV vaccine.
What You Should Know About HPV
The human papillomavirus (HPV) is a common but often misunderstood virus.
HPV is “a group of more than 200 related viruses, some of which are spread through vaginal, anal, or oral sex,” according to the National Cancer Institute. While many sexually active individuals will contract HPV at some point in their lives, the virus is linked to several serious cancers.
Though HPV is most commonly associated with cervical cancer, its reach extends far beyond. The virus is also known to cause cancers of the throat, vagina, penis, anus, and vulva. In fact, HPV is believed to be responsible for:
- 90% of anal and cervical cancers
- Approximately 70% of vaginal and vulvar cancers
- Around 60% of penile cancers
Despite its widespread impact, screening options remain limited—especially for throat cancer.
“There are no screening guidelines to screen for throat cancer, unlike cervical cancer with pap smears,” said Dr. Jessica Geiger, a medical oncologist at the Cleveland Clinic Cancer Center, in an interview with SurvivorNet. “There are no standard tests to determine if you harbor the virus.”
The good news? HPV-related throat cancers tend to respond well to treatment.
“The cure rates for people who have HPV-related disease are a lot higher than those who have tobacco-related throat cancer,” Dr. Geiger explained.
Dickinson’s experience highlights the importance of HPV awareness—not just for women, but for everyone. With no routine screening for throat cancer, prevention through vaccination and education remains a critical tool in the fight against HPV-related diseases.
Protecting Against HPV: Why the Vaccine Matters More Than Ever
Nearly 80 million Americans are currently living with human papillomavirus (HPV), according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). While most people won’t experience serious health issues, for a small percentage, HPV can lead to cancer.
To reduce that risk, health experts strongly recommend the HPV vaccine, which protects against the strains most likely to cause cancer.
What the Vaccine Covers
Gardasil 9, the most widely used HPV vaccine, offers broad protection.
According to the National Cancer Institute, it guards against “nine HPV types: the two low-risk HPV types that cause most genital warts, plus seven high-risk HPV types that cause most HPV-related cancer.”
One of the most dangerous strains is HPV 16, which is responsible for 92% of head and neck cancers. The vaccine triggers an immune response that prevents infection from this strain, making it a powerful tool in cancer prevention.
“The key with the vaccine is that you receive it before you have sexual encounters,” explains Dr. Geiger. “So that’s why these vaccines are approved for young children ages 9, 10, 11 years old, up to age 26.”
Who Should Get Vaccinated—and When
- The CDC recommends the HPV vaccine for all male and female preteens at ages 11 to 12, administered in two doses spaced six to twelve months apart.
- The series can begin as early as age 9.
- Teens and young adults through age 26 who didn’t start or complete the vaccine series should still get vaccinated.
- Those who begin the series between ages 15 and 26 or who have weakened immune systems should receive three doses instead of two.
While adults over 26 can still receive the vaccine, it’s generally less effective, as many have already been exposed to HPV. Still, individuals up to age 45 may choose to get vaccinated after consulting with their doctor about potential benefits.
WATCH: Should children get the HPV Vaccine?
Changing the Conversation Around HPV
Vaccine hesitancy remains a barrier, often rooted in concerns that the vaccine encourages early sexual activity. To counter this, many health professionals are shifting how they talk about it.
“I think rebranding the vaccine as a cancer vaccine, rather than an STD vaccine, is critically important,” says Dr. Teknos.
Dr. Teknos believes that focused efforts to “change the mindset around the vaccine” can make a meaningful difference.
By reframing the HPV vaccine as a powerful tool for cancer prevention, experts hope to boost vaccination rates—and protect more lives in the process.
Questions for Your Doctor
If you are concerned about your cancer risk related to the human papillomavirus or whether HPV caused the cancer you have, you can use one of the conversation starters below when talking with your doctor:
- I am unsure if I received the HPV vaccine when I was younger. What can I do to know for sure?
- If I experience symptoms that could be caused by HPV, what tests can I undergo to determine?
- How can I know if HPV caused the cancer I have?
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