The prudent thing to do would be to have a HPV test at your next PAP, they can do it from the same sample for around $40.00. If you find that you are HPV 16/18 positive, in relationship to cervical cancers you are very prone to them. Since the role of HPV in oral cancers is just now emerging, what this might mean cannot be said with absolute certainty. As I said in the previous post, studies are just now underway to determine how big a role HPV is playing in the oral cancer issue. It may be years before a definitive, published paper emerges. There is no question that it is a factor, and no one has offered another explanation for all the young, non-smokers that are being diagnosed. In my own case, I believe that this is how I came to my oral cancer, being a non-smoker and having no other risk factors. I would encourage anyone who is HPV 16/18 positive to engage in oral self-examinations routinely, and have their mouth examined for the early signs of oral cancer at least annually by a professional. This last point does cause some problems. Recent studies show that those doctors who should be screening for this are not completely up to speed on what constitutes a proper oral cancer exam. Next week I will be adding a page to the web site, that describes to non-professionals, how to know if you have had a proper examination. Remember that this is only one cause of oral cancer, and it is certainly second to the other major risk factor, tobacco use.