War On Warts

CDC Recommends Boys Receive HPV Vaccine

WarOnWarts — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 18:41:45 +0000

Coverage of the decision by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) to expand its recommendation for the HPV vaccine to boys and young men aged 11-21 was widespread, appearing on the three network newscasts, and in national newspapers. The story took up over ten percent of news time. ABC World News (10/25, story 3, 0:30, Sawyer) reported that the committee “recommended boys ages 11 and 12 and young men 13 to 21 be vaccinated. Not just girls, who, as we know, are at risk for cervical cancer.”

On NBC Nightly News (10/25, lead story, 3:00, Williams), NBC’s Chief Medical Editor Dr. Nancy Snyderman said that “One of the reasons the parents have backed away from this vaccine in the past is that because it combines three shots spaced out over several months, and sometimes that means compliance is not so good, and insurance companies have backed away from covering it, but the hope today is that the CDC has recommended it, it will be one step forward getting our kids inoculated and having insurance coverage so parents don’t have to bear the cost.”

The CBS Evening News (10/25, story 6, 2:15, Pelley) reported that “experts argue that kids should get” the vaccine early, “before sexual activity and before they develop these diseases like cancer and genital warts. Now for the future, another important thing is that the earlier this vaccine is given, the better the protection, the better the immune response and the better they’re going to be protected against these diseases in the future.”

Asymptomatic HSV-2 Carriers May Transmit Genital Herpes

WarOnWarts — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 23:30:43 +0000

Researchers at the University of Washington have found just how easily people infected with herpes simplex type 2 virus, which causes genital herpes, can unknowingly pass it on to other people. On average, the researchers found those “who had had past herpes outbreaks were infectious 20.1% of the time, while the asymptomatic group was found to be able to transmit the virus 10.2% of time.” Virus presence was detected “at least once in 83.4% of the people with symptomatic infection and in 68.2% of people with asymptomatic herpes.” The authors say the study shows that even people with asymptomatic herpes type 2 “can transmit it to a sexual partner.”

This further means that pregnant women with no symptoms can pass on the virus to their babies with devastating consequences for the newborn, including death. Moreover, HSV-2 infection can cause complications in people who have weakened immune systems due to chronic disease, and it can increase a person’s likelihood of contracting HIV.

Condom use, drug therapy and disclosure of the disease to partners can help curb the spread of herpes. A blood tests to detect HSV-2 became widely available in 1999, making it easier for people to find out if they have genital herpes even if the infection isn’t active.

Adherence to Schedule for HPV Vaccination Series Low

WarOnWarts — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 20:46:09 +0000

Adherence to recommended schedules for human papillomavirus (HPV) quadrivalent vaccine is relatively low, and even lower among blacks, raising concerns about disease disparity, according to research published online Dec. 13 in Pediatrics.

To determine the level of adherence to the recommended schedule for vaccination and to identify factors associated with completing the three-dose series, Lea E. Widdice, M.D., of the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, and colleagues reviewed data on 3,297 females aged 9 to 26 who initiated HPV vaccination.

Sixty-seven percent of the females self-identified as black and 29 percent as white. The researchers found that more than 50 percent of the doses were received late and fewer than 3 percent were received earlier than recommended. Completion rates by seven and 12 months were 14 and 28 percent, respectively. Completion by seven months was more likely to be achieved in whites, females whose contraception use necessitated intramuscular injections at three-month intervals, and those with private rather than public insurance.

“Adherence to recommended intervals and completion of the vaccine series were low. Lower rates of completion in black patients compared with white patients raises concern that disparities in vaccine completion could exacerbate existing disparities in cervical cancer,” the authors write.

FDA Approves HPV Vaccine for MEN!!!

WarOnWarts — Mon, 27 Dec 2010 18:02:50 +0000

Gardasil (human papillomavirus vaccine), the vaccine that can prevent most cases of cervical cancer in girls, has won the FDA’s blessing as a vaccine to prevent anal cancer, a huge victory for men!

The FDA’s approval for Gardasil as an anal cancer vaccine opens the way for the medication’s maker, Merck and Co. Inc., to market the vaccine to boys and young men between the ages of nine and 26 – an option that will be most meaningful for men who have sex with men, but valuable to all. Nobody likes getting HPV on their penis. It really can devastate many boys and men. When the HPV ends up on their anal area – the risk of anal cancer is high. Although this is most commonly seen in homosexual men, it is not infrequent for heterosexual men to be at risk. It is easy to imagine how HPV can start on the shaft, and with a scratch here, and an itch there – end up on the back side.

This is a great win for men – and we hope that the approval by the FDA will quickly translate to coverage amongst insurance companies to make the vaccine accessible quickly to this new population.

Cryotherapy is one effective treatment for warts

WarOnWarts — Sat, 30 Oct 2010 13:05:53 +0000

Cryotherapy with liquid nitrogen to remove common warts may be more effective than salicylic acid or a wait-and-see approach, according to the results of a randomized controlled trial reported online September 13 in the Canadian Medical Association Journal.

“Cryotherapy is widely used for the treatment of cutaneous warts in primary care,” write Sjoerd C. Bruggink, MD, from Leiden University Medical Center in Leiden, the Netherlands, and colleagues. “However, evidence favours salicylic acid application. We compared the effectiveness of these treatments as well as a wait-and-see approach.”

This is a great treatment for warts – but not the only one. Many more options exist than were tested by this study – so be sure to review all of your options for treating warts with your doctor.

Anal Warts in Men

WarOnWarts — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 18:19:14 +0000

What are anal warts?

Anal warts (also called “condyloma acuminata”) are a condition that affects the area around and inside the anus. They may also affect the skin of the genital area. They first appear as tiny spots or growths, perhaps as small as the head of a pin, and may grow larger than the size of a pea. Usually, they do not cause pain or discomfort to afflicted individuals. As a result, patients may be unaware that the warts are present. Some patients will experience symptoms such as itching, bleeding, mucus discharge and/or a feeling of a lump or mass in the anal area.

Anal warts, thought to be caused by the human papilloma virus, can grow larger and spread if not removed.

It is important to know that Anal warts can be found both heterosexuals and in men who have sex with men. Either way, it is nothing to be ashamed of – and it is something that you SHOULD SEEK TREATMENT FOR.

What causes these warts?

They are thought to be caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV) which is transmitted from person to person by direct contact. HPV is considered a sexually transmitted disease. You do not have to have anal intercourse to develop anal condyloma.

Do these warts always need to be removed?

Yes. If they are not removed, the warts usually grow larger and multiply. If left untreated, the warts may lead to an increased risk of cancer in the affected area. This is similar to the risks of cervical cancer in women.

What treatments are available?

If warts are very small and are located only on the skin around the anus, they may be treated with a topical medication. They may also be treated by a physician by freezing the warts with liquid nitrogen. Warts may also be removed surgically. Surgery provides immediate results but must be performed using either a local anesthetic – such as novocaine – or a general or spinal anesthetic, depending on the number and exact location of warts being treated. Warts inside the anal canal usually are not suitable for treatment by medications, and in most cases need to be treated surgically.

Must I be hospitalized for surgical treatment?

No. Surgical treatment of anal warts is usually performed as outpatient surgery.

How much time will I lose from work after surgical treatment?

Most people are moderately uncomfortable for a few days after treatment, and pain medication may be prescribed. Depending on the extent of the disease, most people return to work the next day.

How long is treatment usually continued?

Follow-up visits are necessary at frequent intervals for several months after the last wart is observed to be certain that no new warts occur.

What can be done to avoid getting these warts again?

In some cases, warts may recur repeatedly after successful removal, since the virus that causes the warts often persists in a dormant state in body tissues. Discuss with you physician how often you should be evaluated for recurrent warts. Abstain from sexual contact with individuals who have anal (or genital) warts. Since many individuals may be unaware that they suffer from this condition, sexual abstinence, condom protection or limiting sexual contact to single partner will reduce your potential exposure to the contagious virus that causes these warts. As a precaution, sexual partners ought to be checked, even if they have no symptoms.

National Men’s Health Week – June 14th to 20th

WarOnWarts — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 01:07:56 +0000

June 14-20^th is National Men’s Health Week and June 20^th is Father’s Day.

Lets celebrate both by sharing the gift of knowledge. Here are some key facts about STD/STI’s that every man should know.

STD/STIs are certainly a critical piece of the sexual health puzzle but being sexually healthy is about much more.

Our most basic advice is:

Abstinence is good and can happen at different times in life
Talk to your parents, they were your age once
Talk to your partner (before you have sex)
Make sure you and your partner know how to use a condom correctly
Find a good healthcare provider and talk to them
Get help if you don’t think you’re in a healthy relationship
Get yourself tested and make sure your partner gets tested (before you have sex)
Take advantage of the vaccines that will help protect you
Learn what you need to know–and keep learning
Your sexual health is important–-you have a right and a responsibility to protect it!

Oral Sex Cause of Throat Cancer Rise

WarOnWarts — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 18:15:26 +0000

Changing sexual practices have led to a dramatic rise in throat cancer in the United States over the past two decades, and experts say they fear an epidemic of the disease.

The comments were made Wednesday at a news conference held by the American Association for Cancer Research to discuss research into the role of the sexually transmitted human papilloma virus ( HPV) in head and neck cancer.

Increasing rates of HPV infection, spread through oral sex, is largely driving the rapid rise in oropharyngeal cancers, which include tumors of the throat, tonsils, and base of the tongue, said Scott Lippman, MD, who chairs the thoracic department at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center.

Studies of oropharyngeal tumor tissue stored 20 years ago show that only around 20% are HPV positive, Lippman said. Today it is estimated that 60% of patients are infected with the virus.

“The percentage of oropharyngeal cancers that are HPV positive is much higher now than it was 20 years ago,” he said. “This is a real trend, and that is why there is concern of an epidemic given that fact that oropharyngeal cancer is increasing at an alarming rate.”
Changing Face of Throat Cancer

Smoking and alcohol abuse were once considered the only major risk factors for these cancers, but this is no longer the case.

American Cancer Society Chief Medical Officer Otis Brawley, MD, said as many as half of the oropharyngeal cancers diagnosed today appear to be caused by HPV infection.

“Changing sexual practices over the last 20 years, especially as they relate to oral sex, are increasing the rate of head and neck cancers and may be increasing the rates of other cancers as well,” he said.

He added that there is some evidence that oral HPV infection is also a risk factor for a type of cancer of the esophagus.

“The paradigm is changing,” Lippman said. “The types of patients we are seeing now with oropharyngeal cancers are not the patients we have classically seen who were older, smokers, and have lots of other problems. These are young people, executives, a whole different population.”
Oral Sex Not Safe Sex

The experts agreed that it is critical for the public to understand that oral sex doesn’t equal safe sex.

The message was unofficially promoted in the early days of the HIV epidemic and it is still widely believed by many, especially teens.

Studies suggest that teens are often unaware of the risks associated with unprotected oral sex, including the transmission of HPV, chlamydia, and gonorrhea.

“There is a huge public health message here,” Brawley said.

source: http://www.webmd.com/sexual-conditions/hpv-genital-warts/news/20090729/oral-sex-cause-throat-cancer-rise

bumps on the penis – is a biopsy necessary?

Dr. A — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 03:24:27 +0000

as a urologist i see a lot of patient with growths or bumps on the penis

some patients ask do I have cancer? do I need a biopsy?

Most patients with a classic wart or HPV do not need a biopsy, patient who are uncircumcised or recurrent growths may consider a biopsy.

Freezing a wart with liquid nitrogen, cauterization, or topical treatments like aldara (imiquimod topical cream)

if you have a wart get to a doctor and have it treated. A biopsy is not a bad idea but no always necessary

thanks for all of stories and questions I hope this site can help you fight your personal war on warts.

the wow team is committed to helping you with the most sensitive topics!

click find a physician for a team member physician in your area!

Share Your Story

WarOnWarts — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 12:08:27 +0000

I’v been living with hpv and my girlfriend for 4 years. I had treatment once for several non cauliflower looking warts. I didn’t notice them for a while because they were so small. They just looked like zits to me. After the initial treatment there has been no recurrences except last week I had one but in 3 or 4 days it went away. Today I noticed a very small rash on the head of my penis. So my questions are:
1. Can warts just go away?
2. How should I get my girlfriend to care about getting a pap smear? (she doesn’t even knowing the connection to cervical cancer)
3. Can hpv be contained in a small area (the head) and be so small it is barely noticeable?

Thanks for writing. Great questions.

1. Visible warts can resolve on their own – but the HPV virus is not cured. This means that even though you may not see any growths on your penis, you can still transmit HPV to a partner.

2. It is important that every sexually active women receive gynecological care and pap smears. You may want to share with her this information so she can learn about this important medical test.

3. Yes, it is possible for the visible manifestations of HPV to be located to one area.
I encourage you to establish a relationship with a physician so that you can get checked. This is the best way to take care of yourself, and anything less is a disservice to both you and your girlfriend. You may want to bring your girlfriend with you to the visit so that your doctor can talk to you both.

Best of luck.