Q:

I've heard that oral cancer from oral HPV infection is on the rise. Is there an oral screening test for HPV, like a pap for your mouth?

I've given oral sex to a lot of guys
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Answers (5)

EXPERT
Dr. Andrea Ruman, MD (Internist) answered (7/17/2012)
Most head and neck cancers are caused by tobacco and alcohol use, but researchers believe that up to 80% of oropharyngeal cancers in the U.S. are due to infection with the HPV virus. For oral HPV infection, there is currently no common clinical test used to detect previous or current HPV infection.
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EXPERT
Evelyn Resh MPH,CNM (Certified Sexuality Counselor & Nurse-Midwife) answered (10/13/2012)
The answers you have already received are excellent and I would add the following: See your dentist every 6 months for normal preventative care and use a condom with oral sex if you have concerns that your partner might have HPV. This would be especially treu in two cases: you have already had a positive PAP smear since being with him/her OR you have made the decision to have sex with an essentially unknown partner. I realize that the sensitivity will be diminished but you can find very thin, ultra-sensitive condoms for this. ALSO, if you have anal intercourse ALWAYS use a condom as women (and men) can develop HPV related infection in the anus and rectum. You can do anal PAPs but most practitioners don't  because they don't ask their patients if they're having anal sex in the first place nor do they tell them if they are to always do so with a condom on. 
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AmyW answered (6/27/2012)
No. I read that it is only done via pap smear because they have to look at cervix-specific cells.
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Anonymous answered (6/27/2012)
My gyn has told me that there is not a pap test for your mouth. But, my dentist has told me that there's an oral cancer screening tool called the Velscope, which can detect changes to the cells. Ask your dentist!!
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Anonymous answered (7/16/2012)
That's 100% true, and this represents an important and rising issue that is rarely discussed or read about, leaving women completely unaware. Unfortunately there is not currently a test for oral HPV, just as there is not a test for men or really a true test for specific strands in women. The oral aspect though is one that I don't believe is discussed very often and young women are left unaware. You can go to an ENT to test for growths, but was interested to hear about the dentist suggestion. Either way, additional posts and articles about this subject - especially from the experts! - is greatly needed in area that is becoming a serious and increasingly dangerous issue for women.
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