August: National Immunization Awareness and World Cancer Support Month

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By Jessica A. Rickert

August 06, 2023

This August is National Immunization Awareness Month and highlights the importance of getting recommended vaccines. August is also World Cancer Support Month and it is important to note that well-child recommended vaccines can protect against oral (mouth) cancers.

The Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI) inthe United States. HPV can cause cancer at varying times in life; these cancers are in genital and oral locations in the body.

There were about 43 million HPV infections in 2018 in the U.S., many among people in their late teens and early 20s. Often, there are no signs or symptoms. Sometimes, these infections can cause visible health problems, including warts. These may be present in the genital area, but also in the back of the throat. This can include the base of the tongue and tonsils. Mouth and throat cancer (oropharyngeal cancer) can also develop at any time in life after HPV
infection.

There are vaccines that can help stop these diseases from happening. Talk to your doctor to ensure you and your family are protected. Talk to your dentist about any concerns you may have.

An initial HPV vaccination is recommended for boys and girls around age 11 or 12 (but can start at age 9). This is commonly a two-dose series. 

A catchup HPV vaccination is recommended for all persons through age 26 if they are not already vaccinated. This is commonly a three-dose series.

Cancer can take years, even decades, to develop after a person has HPV. There is no way to know who will develop cancer or other health problems from HPV. People with weakened immune systems may be less able to fight off HPV. HPV is thought to cause 70% of oropharyngeal cancers in the U.S. Tobacco and alcohol use increase the risk of developing mouth cancer.

Rates of oropharyngeal cancer have increased dramatically, driven by HPV infection – 54,000 new cases of oral cavity and oropharynx cancers were diagnosed in the United States in 2022. It is estimated that 11,580 deaths (8,140 men and 3,440 women) from oral and oropharyngeal cancer will occur in the United States in 2023.

Most people have no symptoms of oropharyngeal cancer. Sometimes, symptoms may include a long-lasting sore throat, earaches, hoarseness, swollen lymph nodes, pain when swallowing, and unexplained weight loss. If you have any symptoms that worry you, be sure to see your doctor or dentist right away.

There is no test to find out a person’s HPV status. Also, there is no approved test to find HPV in the mouth or throat.

The HPV vaccination can prevent HPV oral cancers. Finding these cancers early greatly increases the survival rate. Screening for oropharyngeal cancer is done at every dental exam visit. A referral to an oral surgeon may be recommended.

'So, be sure to see the dentist twice a year, as recommended by the American Dental Association.

Health awareness months: Calendar list (medicalnewstoday.com)
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/health-awareness-months
National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM) | CDC
https://www.cdc.gov/std/hpv/stdfact-hpv.htm
https://www.cancer.org/
https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/hpv/basic_info/hpv_oropharyngeal.htm
https://www.cancer.gov/news-events/cancer-currents-blog/2021/hpv-oropharyngeal-cancer-less-treatment-fewer-side-
effects

Dr. Jessica A. Rickert is a tribal citizen of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation. A graduate of the University of Michigan School of Dentistry, in 1975, she became for the first female Native American dentist.

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