Hello,
Last Friday I got what the Dr called good news.. I am HPV16 positive, which has a better cure rate. That's great news, but how can a man who has been married and faithful for nearly 29 years have this? Should my wife be tested for the virus? Should I ask to have the pathology repeated? I understand that the treatment is the same, so does it really matter?

I will begin radiation treatments this wednesday (1 of 40) and I see my MO tomorrow for the first time.

George

( I will be adding information to my sig asap, I have one node, one tumor in the tonsil area and positive for HPV..)

I have also wondered about the testing. I hope to see some info posted by others

Over 80% of the general population contract the HPV virus sometime in their lives. Most are able to clear it from their systems without their having to do anything or even knowledge that they have it in their bodies.

Some members of the forum have had their spouses tested, I was never tested. Some people have chosen to get the gardasil vaccine even though they are already sexually active just in case. I would take it up with your doctors if I were you.

Here’s the info on HPV on the main OCF site.

https://oralcancerfoundation.org/?s=HPV

Thanks,
That was one of the questions I had written down and forgot to ask today.

Mine was HPV positive, and we have no idea how that happened. I think (personally, as I am NOT a doctor) that there are unknown transmission vectors at play. We too are a long time faithful and monogamous couple, and nothing at all before marriage, so where the heck did it come from? (And yes, I had doctors try circular arguments with me, but the virus still had to come from somewhere, and it can't have been from my husband ... so where?)

I tend not to share my HPV status outside this group because people leap to dreadful conclusions because of it, and it's just not so. And either way, it's still a crappy cancer, and we all get the same rads and chemo and surgeries and whatnot.

We never did think of worrying over testing for my husband ... we figured he either had it or didn't, and his body was clearly dealing with it better than mine was. And if something happens down the road, it happens, and we'll be better prepared.

I'm with you KristenS on this.....husband was telling everyone his was HPV16 and I don't think he actually knows for sure but it made him look better than admitting he had smoked and chewed tobacco for over half of his life. I don't want to say it's HPV16, first of all because I don't know but also it makes people question your lifestyle!

It is CANCER and thats all that matters. Getting the right treatment and trying to get our lives back is the most important. My husband was a 2 pk a day smoker of Kools and HPV Positive. You can't tell me that the darn smokes had nothing to do with his stage 4 soft palate cancer. I had a pap and I I do not have HPV. I never even gave the HPV thing a thought. I know you can harbor that virus for years and I also believe that you can contract it other ways. My husband has had terrible fall out from all the treatment : Osteoradionecrosis of his Maxilla and 2 Heart attacks and the last was a massive. He is still going strong and pushes forward everyday. He still runs a business and takes care of us. We are flat broke and financially struggle. But all I care about is him staying healthy and positive! Your Health is Your Wealth! Bless all of the Warriors and their Caretakers!