HPV and Skin Cancer: Facts and Figures

Experts have found a link between strains of HPV and the second most common form of skin cancer, squamous cell carcinoma.

Dr. Margaret Karagas of Dartmouth Medical School and lead author of the study emphasizes, however, that the relationship may not be causal.
 
For the study, the team analyzed medical records of 663 adults with squamous cell carcinoma, 898 with basal cell carcinoma, and 805 healthy adults.
Dr. Karagas and her team discovered that if a patient tested positive for 2 or 3 strains of HPV, risk of squamous cell carcinoma rose 44%.  Another fairly common denominator is that patients who take immunosuppressant drugs, such as those given after organ transplants seem to be at a higher risk, suggesting that the immune system is key.

Other Skin Cancer Risks

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, 20% of the 1 million diagnosed cases of skin cancer this year will be squamous cell carcinoma.  Most of the risk comes from exposure to the sun’s harmful UV rays; however, the Academy states that the risk is even higher if one of the following factors is present:

*Fair skin
*Blonde or red hair; blue or green eyes
*History of indoor tanning
*Diagnosis of actinic keratoses
*Family history of skin cancer
*Weakened immune system
*History of radiation therapy
*History of exposure to coal tar products or arsenic

Basal cell carcinoma, the most common form of skin cancer, has similar risk factors.  Both BCC and SCC risk becomes higher with age, as sun accumulation contributes to threat.

HPV Statistics

According to the American Congress of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 3 out of 4 sexually active people will contract an HPV infection in their lifetime. 
Of the 100 HPV viruses, 30 are sexually transmitted; certain types of these viruses are linked to both cervical cancer and genital warts.  Per the ACOG website, Dr. Maureen Killackey reminds women that preventive vaccines such as Gardasil are only effective in 70% of sexually transmitted HPVs and in 90% of genital wart cases.  She urges patients to not neglect regular screening, which should begin no later than three years after a woman becomes sexually active.

One way to mitigate risk of HPV infection is to limit sexual partners; the possibility of becoming infected increase with every new sexual partner.

Condoms are also somewhat effective in preventing infection; however, some HPVs affect areas of the skin that are not completely protected by condoms.