HPV-16 and Oropharyngeal Cancer: What the Science Says — and What It Doesn’t

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Trigger warning: Cancer

Robert got a bit emotional at the beginning of this one. Cancer is a scary word. 

HPV is one of the most common viruses on earth—and the leading cause of oropharyngeal cancer. 

In this episode, we break down the link between HPV-16 and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC). We’ll explain how many people carry oral HPV, how many carry HPV-16 specifically, and why there’s no screening test for OPSCC. More importantly, we’ll explain why there’s no screening: not because the system doesn’t care, but because science hasn’t shown it helps.

We also tackle the question everyone asks: is there a test? And if not, why not? The short answer: no, there’s no screening test for oral HPV that’s been shown to prevent cancer or save lives. Nor is there a screening test for OPSCC. And it’s not because the healthcare system is asleep at the wheel. 

At Shameless Care, our job is simple: we find credible information and share it with you. Nothing in this episode is our personal opinion. Everything we discuss is based on published guidance and data from trusted sources like the National Cancer Institute, Oral Cancer Foundation, ASCCP, the American Academy of Family Physicians, the United States Preventive Services Task Force, the CDC, and others.

This is what we mean when we say “evidence-based education” and “evidence-based care.” So if this episode sparks strong feelings, please understand—we didn’t create these positions. We’re simply walking you through what the science currently says.

📚 Full reference list: https://docs.google.com/document/d/10ODpJI2dXCy2IA5cANgCI7ZZJKw_nOQWTjXpW2JRmqM/edit?usp=drivesdk

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