Ambra:

I am going through this same question with my past girlfriend. Should I tell her, should I not.

I already have one short answer on the forum because I broached the question in my blog; and that is to concentrate on the bigger picture right now, ie the upcoming radiation treatment. Worry about this small stuff later, if at all.

And then Karen and Don weigh in with more detailed answers, both of which make a lot of sense. Think of it this way, even if a past boyfriend ultimately turns up with HPV-16 positive oral cancer. Do you know absolutely for sure that it was you that gave it to him...you don't know that at all as you don't know his history before or after you.

Thanks for asking this question; it made me rethink it again. Now, I'm 99% sure my answer is say nothing to past flames.


Tony, 69, non-smoker, aerobatics pilot, bridge player/teacher, avid dancer (ballroom, latin, swing, country)

09/13 SCC, HPV 16, tonsillectomy, T2N0.
11/13 start rads, no chemo
12/13 taste gone, dry mouth,
02/14 hair slowly returning
05/14 taste the same, dry sinuses, irrigation helps.
01/15 food taste about 60% returned, dry sinuses are worse in winter.
12/20 no more sinus problems, taste pretty good