How Throat Cancer Can Stem From HPV

There may have been some skepticism of Michael Douglas's revelation that his throat cancer was due to "giving oral sex." But it's true: you can get throat cancer from HPV.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a sexually transmitted disease that can cause genital warts or present itself without symptoms. If left untreated, it can cause a multitude of cancers, such as cancers of the cervix, anus, penis, vagina, as well as oral and throat cancers.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 60% of cancers of the throat, tonsils and the base of tongue are related to HPV.

Dr. Kenneth Magid, DDS, discusses the VELscope device technology to help detect early cases of cancer, how HPV is the leading cause of oral cancer, and techniques for early detection and prevention.