New Research from Japan: Coffee Might Protect Against Oral Cancers

According to an AOL Health News article, a study conducted in Japan indicates that coffee may help lower the risk of developing cancer in the mouth and throat.

According the study, "among more than 38,000 study participants aged 40 to 64 years with no prior history of cancer, 157 cases of cancer of the mouth, pharynx and esophagus occurred during 13 years of follow up."

The article notes that "compared with people who did not drink coffee, those who drank one or more cups per day had half the risk of developing these cancers."

The Japanese researchers were quite surprised by the results. While their study indicates that fewer high-risk participants (those who smoked and drank alcohol) developed cancers, the researchers pointed out that not smoking and drinking is the best way to lower your risk -- but if you do continue these behaviors, drinking coffee may help.

STDs Affect One in Four Teenage Girls

A study just released by the Centers for Disease Control states that 1 in 4 girls has a sexually transmitted disease.

According to the article in U.S. News and World report, the most common STDs are human papillomavirus (HPV) and chlamydia.

HPV, which has been long known to cause cervical cancer, is also thought to cause throat cancer and is transmitted via oral sex.

Oral cancer, or throat cancer, is a serious issue since 70% of oral cancers are diagnosed in the late states, III and IV, leading to a dismal five-year survival rate.

However, oral cancer is 90% curable if caught early.

If your dentist doesn't already offer it, ASK for -- no, DEMAND -- that he or she test for oral and throat cancer using many of the tools available, such as ViziLite.

Successful Smiles Podcast: Teens, Sex, and Oral Health

Dr. Helaine Smith's Successful Smiles \ healthcast #6
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This episode of Successful Smiles is the first in a series that explores the connection between your oral health and physical health.

In this episode, I discuss oral health, sex, and teenagers. According to the American Dental Association, oral cancer strikes over 34,000 Americans annually, with over 25% dying of the disease, which claims more lives than melanoma and cervical cancer. The death rate for this cancer is relatively high due to the fact that the disease is not detected early enough.

Additionally, research has indicated a link between the human papilloma virus (HPV) and oral cancer. Researchers at John Hopkins compared patients who had oral cancer with those who did not. The study revealed that those patients who had one to five oral sex partners doubled their risk for throat cancer and those with more than five increased their risk by 250% -- and even more worrisome, increased their risk for the HPV-16 strain of virus by 750%. Over 70% of cervical cancer cases are caused by HPV Types 16 and 18.

The podcast covers the following:

• The increase in STDs and how this increase is affecting young people between the ages of 15 and 24.
  


• How to protect yourself from STDs.


• The link between oral sex, HPV, and oral cancer.


• Why you should get tested for throat cancer if you're sexually active and have one or more partners.

Send any questions about dental health, or suggestions for future podcasts, to helainesmithdmd@aol.com.