Small comment to the original post:

The Lancet, whilst originating in the UK in the 1800s, would be considered an international journal today. It is affiliated with no-one and not restricted by either geography or a group of physicians unlike the JAMA which is a journal belonging to the American Medical Association.

The Lancet takes original research from all over the world and has had some impressive world firsts regardless of where it was discovered. The Lancet was first to publish the discovery of the use of antiseptics (English), penicillin (Australia), danger of thalidomide (Australia), origin and cause of "bird flu" (Hong Kong) and is widely held to be one of the premier journals to submit important break through research.

Finally, nearly 15 years after Silvia Franceschi (France)first postulated HPV as having a causal link to oral cancer and Dr Gilleson making it her primary focus for the last 10 years, (making herself possibly the world's number one opinion leader) a mainstream journal (as opposed to one dedicated to oncology) has recognised the link between oral cancer and HPV.

Bearing in mind my comments above regarding the Lancets historical breakthroughs, this conference is potentially the most exciting thing ever to happen to survivors and suffers of HPV related oral cancer.

If the HPV link makes it into the mainstream consciousness, through the Lancet, it may loosen the purse strings of governments and pharmaceutical companies, to allow for the much needed research and set up of international databases.

Just imagine, if a vaccine could be delivered in the same way it has been for prevention of HPV related cervical cancer - another Australian breakthrough by the way (please excuse my rampant parochialism) to every MALE and female which would prevent a minimum of 15% of the population having to go through this terrible ordeal!!