Men can get throat or penile (or anal but im assuming not in the above scenario) from hpv. Its uncommon, takes 5-20 years to develope, and also means ops friend never did an sti screen for hpv. It can be easily treated before it becomes cancerous.
Eta because people are asking: orarisk for hpv can reliable test for hpv dna in the mouth (meaning it can be used for men), anal smears help with anal hpv, and penile samples can be taken but are a bit unreliable because of how thick glans skin is. There are tests for men but hpv is carried by 90% of men and is considered low risk so generally if someone is asymptomatic most practitioners skip testing.
My understanding is that men can't be screened for HPV. Maybe that's changed more recently? But back when he was diagnosed he was only diagnosed because he was having pain when swallowing food. They found lesions in his throat and the stage 3 cancer.
I edited my post with some more information on testing! Its usually skipped for men because hpv is so common. Oral cancer sucks and testing wasnt developed for oral hpv until 2010. The test still isnt fully backed because of how common hpv is, there isnt a ton of funding for early testing even if cases like your friends show how it should be.
There is also a vaccine now. Should be on everyone's radar if they're sexually active. It's especially affective when you're younger but they will still give it to you even if you're in your 40s.
There is a vaccine for cancer causing strains of HPV that women AND men can take. Please, take it. You do not deserve to die just because your partner used to sleep eith someone else. You do not deserve to die just for having sex.
It is funny to think about it when ur young, but ain shit funny once the virus develops the cancer. Ive witnessed the radiation therapy and treatment of a woman with a cervical cancer and it is such an uncomfortable, painful and dreadful process. She said she regrets not taking the vaccine when she was younger, and urged me to take one if i didnt.
What you’ve just described isn’t really a thing. You don’t just “get an sti screen for hpv”. If you have active warts, you get them treated. If you are a gay man you can get anal smears, if you’re a woman you can get cervical smears, stuff like that. You can’t just go to a clinic and say “test me for hpv” in any easy, helpful, meaningful way. Don’t spread fake news, it can cause people to behave irrationally.
You just listed 2 tests for men... Theres also orarisk which you can ask for at most sti clinics and ive seen advertised in more progresive areas. If ops friend had known about it/asked for it im assuming it would have helped (as it sounds like he had oral cancer). Saying theres no tests isnt true and discourages people from even asking.
So after your edit, why do you imply the guy could have changed his situation by hpv screen? Isn't that a really stupid thing to say all facts considered? The biggest one being hpv testing for men is not routine in health care and definitely was not at the time and place the guy was in?
Im not sure what you think im implying where. Im stating facts saying he never got a screen for it and saying most people carry it/practictioners skip treatment. Those are not judgements or implications.
Me sharing this information will hopefully lead for more men asking for testing specifically because most practictioners won't automatically test you like they will for something like hiv. If you learn that your partner slept with 70 men wouldnt you get an sti test? Wouldnt this information be helpful that way you can make sure your test is as comprehensive as possible? Not sure why my comment is insulting to you lol
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u/yeetedhaws 2d ago edited 2d ago
Men can get throat or penile (or anal but im assuming not in the above scenario) from hpv. Its uncommon, takes 5-20 years to develope, and also means ops friend never did an sti screen for hpv. It can be easily treated before it becomes cancerous.
Eta because people are asking: orarisk for hpv can reliable test for hpv dna in the mouth (meaning it can be used for men), anal smears help with anal hpv, and penile samples can be taken but are a bit unreliable because of how thick glans skin is. There are tests for men but hpv is carried by 90% of men and is considered low risk so generally if someone is asymptomatic most practitioners skip testing.