I am one of the youngsters who was diagnosed with OC. The only thing that my dr has noted in my records is that I had the Guarasil shot just a few months before I was diagnosed. After doing research on the shot, it can cause a 44% inrease of the likelyhood of developing cancer, in some women (as the FDA put it) I was a social smoker, very light drinker, and no HPV.

HPV testing in the oral environment isn't generally doable except for suspect tissues that are being biopsied by punch or incision. Brush swabs in the oral environment are not the same as cervical swabs, the possible areas to collect from are too extensive to collect from with any certainty. The cervix is a very small area, and even that is a hit and miss blind brush cytology. There are some institutions that are working on a swish collection system but that hasn't been sorted out well enough to put into general practice yet. So you are asking for something that there is no manner to do accurately right now.

Without any conclusive evidence that cell phone transmissions cause cancer, I will just offer this observation. I think it is safe to say that everyone uses a cell phone these days, and given that, it is likely that 50% of oral cancer patients got their cancer on the side they used their phone on. This is of course has nothing to do with the cell phone, but with odds.

I was fairly young at diagnosis (34), however I was a smoker. HPV status is unknown in that the tumor was never tested. My thoughts are leading me to environmental causes, more specifically, fertilizers with pesitcides, herbicides and other harsh chemicals. I lived on an inland lake when I was diagnosed. I skied and wakeboarded alot and, since I was learning, swallowed alot of water. A friend of mine had a dog that was diagnosed with a sinus cancer after she sniffed a fertilizer pellet up her nose after he treated his lawn. It just got me thinking that all the run off in the lake is what I was ingesting when I swallowed water. And let me tell you, face planting was my specialty. Needless to say, I have since decided to go green. I am battling clover, crab grass and grubs, but I am chemical free! My neighbors might not like it, but I feel better sending my 4 year old out to play knowing I dont use them. Anyway, JM2C's. Wondering what you guys might think.

Kelley

For me I know there is a weak link in my genetic make-up...I accept that because it seems obvious being the 4th person diagnosed with H & N cancer...Three of us Out of the four had OC. Of the four one of us died of this disease. (Of course, I find all of this out after my diagnosis!)

Having said that...I believe because of my weak link I developed OC because of some irritation (environmental or not) or virus that hit my system just right.

I suppose we all can chock it up to BAD LUCK.

I just don't like seeing more and more and more young people diagnosed. This makes be believe it's environmental--assuming HPV is not involved.

Yes we have had teens in this site with OC and the one girl from England was a real toughy. She whipped it like a lot did but with a lot of troubles doing it. But she is alive and well and a very sweet young lady.

Suzanne,

The majority of HPV+ SCC's are located in the Orophyrnx region which includes the BOT and Tonsils but not the part of the tongue where your Primary was located so your chances that HPV was involved are low. That may be why your doctors were hesitant to do the the test. You can always pay for it yourself and then submit the bill to your ins co and see what happens. I was told 3 yrs ago it would cost $600 and I would think that cost may have come down by now?

Medical costs coming down?...

David, you have quite the sense of humor!

Yea I knew as I was typing that it sounded absurd but I just thought maybe since they were hopefully testing more samples than they were 3 years ago and there were more testing facilities than 3 years ago, the cost might have come down.

Like in my area, this year they have a great abundance of blueberries..so at this particular time blueberries are a great buy...

LOL....that's what I was thinking...medical cost down? I thought for sure the FL sun is really effecting David. Poor thing, you need to head north. Alright, this is Serious Suzanne, I am part of an HPV study at Fox Chase Cancer Center and I should find out from that. Not sure how long that will take but at least I'll get an answer.

Thank you for that info David, I've had not heard that before, very interesting.