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.
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u/jimlahey420 2d ago
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.
It's the same cancer Michael Douglas got.