Quote:
Originally Posted by tribbles  Can I ask again how we test the males for HPV? |
There is a PCR DNA test for HPV that is is used on men "off label" use-and it isn't wildly accurate(I think it is supposed to spot 85% or so of the HPV cases out there. That test is also a bit pricey because I think it is fairly new.
The other thing happening in that area is use of Gardasil for men(AIM is one organization doing that). Gardasil is not FDA approved for use in men--but some docs will use FDA approved medications for purposes other than what they are approved for.
The HPV situation strikes as kind of strange. Basically the disease is very widespread, but only one gender can get decent testing for it. The treatment options also seem tricky. It has only been with the advent of better testing that folks are talking about clearing of the disease. That _might_ open the way to better treatment.
Now, the thing is that 80 years ago, cancer was unequivocally regarded as a non-infectious disease. I remember a teacher talking 35 years ago how that was starting to come into question-and now we have actually therapies based on that notion.