Happy to Hear That I Have a STD - We Now Know the Source

DaveJay
DaveJay Member Posts: 8 Member

I posted this on my personal blog, thought you folks might have comments on it (sorry for the length):

Got a call from my ENT Doctor giving me the laboratory results from the biopsy they took during my surgery.  He confirmed that the source of my cancer is the HPV-16 virus.

Why is this good news? Because this particular form of cancer is statistically very curable.  If it were not HPV, and we presumably know the cancer was not caused by smoking or drinking, then it would be the rare 7% of unknown Head and Neck cancers.  The treatment would not be different, but the chances of success would be less optimistic.

What is HPV?  It is the Human Papillomavirus that it is estimated that 80% of the population has.  It is known to spread via skin to skin contact, but since so many of us have it, I hardly think it is a shameful thing. Our immune systems normally are capable of dealing with HPV infections in our mucous tissues (squamous cells).  But occasionally, and after years and decades, these infections develop into cancer.  HPV-16 just happens to be the exact same virus that causes most cervical cancers and is what the PAP smear tests that most women get regularly is designed to detect.  There are no detection tests for men at this time for HPV.  There are  couple of vaccines, some of which have been in the news, that might be able to prevent humans from getting infected by this virus, but the medical community is still in the very early stages of this eradication effort.

So, now that we know the source of the cancer, why did my immune system fail to stop this cancer lesion on my tongue?  This is just speculation and the true answer will never be known.  However, I am certain that I did myself no favors by allowing the stress of my last couple projects to neglect my fitness and letting my weight increase to unhealthy levels.  I certainly don't blame the projects, I blame my reaction to the stress.

Of course, this might not have anything to do with it.  Healthy and extremely fit people still get cancer, just as long distance runners still get heart disease.  But, I would like to think that fitness reduces the chances of cancer taking hold.

Fitness and what we eat are two of the few things that we can actually control in our lives.  Believe me, in my case, those now have a much, much higher priority.

Fitness wise, I just need to be more consistent and regular, and make it a daily activity (with rest also being an important component).  Even when I was my heaviest (at 205 lbs), I could still go out and do a 3 mile run, albeit slowly.  I just didn't do it very often - a couple times a month at the most, during my last two projects.  I just have to treat exercise as important as sleeping, and more important than work and play.

Eating wise, as well, I have not been eating horribly.  I don't drink soda (much prefer water), and fast food and junk food are not staples of my diet.  Sunny cooks us very healthy foods.  But too large portions of healthy foods still creates excess calories that were not being burned by exercise.  I have already dropped over 25 lbs over the last 6 months from my extreme, but another 20 lbs will put me safely within recommended medical limits.  With my more careful eating routines now, portions are already much smaller, by necessity.  This is not the time to make a vigorous push to lose more weight, but 8 or 12 months from now, I hope to be in very different clothes sizes.

These are not drastic changes for me, just shifting priorities a few notches to get the balance right again.  And then, hopefully, my immune system will be strong enough to fight off cancer and other illnesses without the need for medical intervention.

I'll keep my thoughts on the spiritual side of things private, but obviously God and the mind-body relationship are also critical.  This is another component over which we can affect change, but this is highly personal for me.

Enough ramblings,

Ciao, DaveJ

Comments

  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    Welcome...

    Knowing the source is always good..., at least in the mind.

    And you seem to already did a lot of good research. As you say, doesn't really change the treatment though... The HPV+ does tend to respond well to treatment...

    But that is actually relative..., it is stil a very rough road to go.. As for reaction, you will be in the mix as everyone else...

    You just never know how your body is going to respond until you're in the thick of it...

    Again,

    Welcome...

    John

  • CivilMatt
    CivilMatt Member Posts: 4,722 Member
    self

    DaveJ,

    Sounds like your view into the mirror had positive results; we each get something from cancer.  Don’t get to hung up on why, it just is (is easier on your mind).

    Wishing you a smooth ride.

    Matt

  • KB56
    KB56 Member Posts: 318 Member
    The Source

    Dave, we're in exactly the same boat but mine was on my tonsil vs tongue.   I think we're in the 1% group based on stuff I read in that 99% of the population's immune system can fight off the HPV but us 1% for whatever reason can't fight it off.   The good news, very good news, is that your outlook for beating this and living a long and fulfilling life is excellent because the HPV types are so responsive to Chemo and Radiation.

    I had a follow up with my Oncologist this morning and I asked him why he used Erbitux vs the other treatments others get on this site.   He said that in his opinion my cancer would respond well to Erbitux, it is much less toxic and with much less side effects than the older cancer drugs.   I had the tonsil removed but they didn't want to operate on the lymph nodes unless absolutely the last resort.  I had asked the doctor when I would know if I was one of the 80% who did respond well to radiation and chemo and he said we'd know within a few weeks.  Sure enough within a few weeks the lymph nodes starting shrinking and after a few more weeks we couldn't even feel them any longer.   I'm not sure if you are getting Erbitux but you might ask you Doctor if that would work for you/your treatment.

    As far as the weight and overall physical condition, for a 56 year old guy when i was diagnosed, I was in pretty good shape, not overweight, ate healthy, ran 3 miles 3 or 4 times a week and worked out at a gym on a fairly regular basis.   It didn't matter as I still got exactly what you did.   I'm sure being in shape helped as I started the treatment but as far as the cancer, didn't matter.

    Good luck as you continue to fight this...Stay positive and before you know it you will be finished with treatments and your body will start healing.

    Best of luck,

    Keith