Transcription:

Bill Klaproth (Host): ECMC will host the film and panel discussion Someone You Love, the HPV Epidemic on Wednesday April 10, 2019 at 5 p.m. And here to talk more about the event and HPV, is Dr. Jennifer Frustino, Director of Oral Cancer Screening and Diagnostics and Dr. Elizabeth Kapral, staff clinician, both at ECMC. Dr. Frustino and Dr. Kapral, thanks for being here.

Jennifer Frustino, DDS, PhD (Guest): Heh Bill. Thank you for having us. It’s great to be here.

Host: Oh, it’s my pleasure and I’m very excited to talk to both of you. Dr. Frustino, let’s start with you. So, why is it important to raise awareness about HPV through an event like this?

Dr. Frustino: So, HPV, the human papilloma virus is a virus that causes several types of cancer. It causes cancer of the oropharynx which is the back of the throat, the tonsils, the base of the tongue as well as cervical cancer and other anogenital cancers. This virus is actually preventable with a vaccine. We want to raise awareness about the HPV virus, about the cancers it causes and how it can be prevented.

Host: Yeah, that’s a really important message and Dr. Kapral, what are the common risk factors for HPV?

Elizabeth Kapral, MS, DDS (Guest): So, HPV is a sexually transmitted virus. You can become infected with HPV by having sexual intercourse with somebody who is infected with the virus. It is not believed that the virus is transmitted by saliva or open mouth kissing or touching, and the risk factors would include multiple sexual partners.

Host: Very interesting. I feel we don’t hear enough about this. Dr. Frustino, what are some of the signs and symptoms then of HPV?

Dr. Frustino: So, there’s really no true symptoms. There are signs. Signs would be benign proliferations in the skin such as warts on the skin or in the genitals. Also, having an abnormal PAP smear in a female, would be a sign of having HPV. But there’s no true symptoms. A person is not going to experience a headache or cold-like symptoms. Most people have this virus and they never even know it.

Host: Wow. Dr. Frustino, I’m going to stay with you for a minute. So, HPV, this may seem like a silly question, sorry. HPV affects both men and women, is that correct?

Dr. Frustino: That is correct.

Host: Okay, very good. Dr. Kapral, how do you diagnose HPV then?

Dr. Kapral: It’s difficult to diagnose HPV because there is no real screening test. You can’t just walk into your doctor and have them do a blood or saliva test to determine if you have HPV. The way that it’s diagnosed is usually when a suspicious lesion in the mouth or in women in the cervix is seen and a biopsy is taken. The pathologist can look at that biopsy and do special staining to determine if the skin or the tissue is infected with HPV.

Host: So, Dr. Kapral, I’m going to stick with you for a minute. So, if someone contracts this early on, say in their late teens or 20s, can it manifest and show up later in life?

Dr. Kapral: Yes, it can which is one of the reasons that Dr. Frustino and myself are so motivated to improve education about this virus because usually people are infected early in their lives and then later in life can develop head and neck cancers from HPV.

Host: And Dr. Frustino, it seems like someone can contract this at any time over the course of their life. When it manifests, does it come and go throughout a lifetime or once it appears, it’s there and that’s generally when people go to see the doctor?

Dr. Frustino: So, typically, if the virus manifests as a wart or a benign lesion; then that lesion will remain until it’s surgically removed by a doctor. The virus, we believe typically clears. It’s cleared by the immune system within a year of contracting it. It’s when the virus lingers or remains latent in the system, that it can then turn to cancer or cause other benign lesions like warts.

Host: And Dr. Kapral, since there is no treatment, if someone discovers they have this; what then? Is it just management?

Dr. Kapral: Yes, it would be management of however the HPV is manifesting, either a benign lesion like a wart or a more serious issue like cancer. We manage whatever the HPV is causing. It should be stated again, however that most people who contract HPV, their immune system does clear it. It’s the ones where the HPV remains in the body latent that it can cause a problem.

Host: Okay, that’s good to know and Dr. Kapral, let’s switch to the event. Someone You Love, the HPV Epidemic. It’s a film and panel discussion. Tell us more about it.

Dr. Kapral: Yes, this movie is a documentary which is narrated by Vanessa Williams and it follows the lives of five women who are affected by human papilloma virus, HPV through causing different types of cancer and genital warts. Their stories shed light on the myths, risks, problems, politics and misconceptions of this widespread epidemic.

Host: Really interesting and Dr. Frustino, who is the event for? And is it open to the general public?

Dr. Frustino: Yes, this event is open to the general public. However, it is also for healthcare professionals and residents in training for different healthcare professions. Currently, physicians, dentists, nurses, and pharmacists can all receive continuing education credits for attending this movie which will then be followed by a live panel discussion.

Host: Very good and Dr. Kapral, how can someone sign up for the event?

Dr. Kapral: You can sign up by sending a quick email to Jane Zemer, its J -Z-E-M-E-R@ECMC.edu. And if you missed that email, you can also check out ECMC’s Facebook and social media and website for information on where to sign up for the event.

Host: Great information Dr. Kapral and Dr. Frustino. Thank you so much for your time. Once again, the film and panel discussion is Someone You Love, The HPV Epidemic. It’s on Wednesday, April 10, 2019 at 5 p.m. If you want to sign up email jzemer@ecmc.edu, once again, that’s jzemer@ecmc.edu. Thank you so much for listening. This is the True Care Healthcast from Erie County Medical Center. I’m Bill Klaproth. Thanks again.