A new study has found a possible connection between a common sexually transmitted infection and skin cancer. The virus, which can be spread through kissing and oral sex, is now being looked at for its role in causing skin-related cancers.
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most widespread STI in the United States, with about 42 million people currently infected. It is already known to cause cervical, throat, and anal cancers.
Now, scientists at the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) believe HPV may also cause squamous cell carcinoma, a type of skin cancer. This is the second most common skin cancer in the country, with 1.8 million new cases reported every year.
The discovery came after researchers examined a 34-year-old woman who had a recurring skin cancer on her forehead. Despite undergoing surgeries and immune treatments, the cancer kept coming back.
At first, doctors thought the recurring cancer was linked to her rare condition called RIDDLE syndrome. This illness weakens the immune system and increases sensitivity to radiation, which can lead to health problems like cancer.
However, tests done by the NIH revealed something surprising—HPV had actually merged with the woman’s cancer genes. Experts believe this may have caused her cancer cells to become more aggressive.
They also found that her skin was still able to repair damage from the sun. This suggested that ultraviolet (UV) rays, which are normally the biggest cause of skin cancer, were not the main reason in her case.
Dr. Andrea Lisco, the virologist who led the study, explained that the results could shift how experts view and treat skin cancer in people with weak immune systems. He added that others with similar aggressive cancers might also have hidden immune problems and could benefit from targeted immune treatments.
The findings, published recently in the New England Journal of Medicine, are still early and don’t prove a direct cause. However, they raise important questions about how HPV might be involved in skin cancer development.
