BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) -- A routine trip to the dentist could save your life. That's because researchers have identified a link between certain kinds of oral cancer and the Human Papillomavirus, or HPV.
Doctors used to blame tobacco use for causing this type of cancer.
"But in recent years HPV related cancers are on the rise," Dr. William Carroll, throat and head cancer specialist, says. "And those individuals have never been exposed to tobacco or heavy alcohol consumption."
There's a new test out there that will show within thirty seconds whether or not you have HPV. But local dentists don't completely rely on it.
"You could get false negatives, and you could be wrong and you send someone home who really has cancer," Spencer Maddox, DMD, says.
He prefers to closely examine each patient's mouth to visually diagnose abnormal areas. And Dr. Carroll agrees that's the best bet.
"There a number of different screening tests, but probably the most effective thing is to just have a look around in the mouth," Carroll says. "Dentists are really the first line of defense in screening for oral cancers."
Danielle Hebert is glad she was tested. "I like to be informed, and it's important me to know what my risk is for HPV, because that's a huge risk for oral cancer."
