Viruses are the culprits behind many common infections like colds and the flu. But did you know that certain viruses can also raise the risk of or lead to cancer? Human papillomavirus (HPV) has been well-studied for its role in cancers — including lung cancer. Fortunately, there are ways to protect yourself from this virus to lower your risk.

In this article, we’ll discuss what HPV is and how it plays a role in cancer development. We’ll also cover ways to prevent HPV infection and what it potentially means for your lung cancer outlook. For more information about HPV and lung cancer, talk to your oncologist (cancer specialist).

What Is HPV?

According to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), HPV is a group of more than 200 viruses that cause warts or cancer. HPV is divided into two categories — high-risk and low-risk.

High-risk HPVs are known to cause many types of cancer. There are a total of 12 high-risk types of HPV, but HPV 16 and HPV 18 cause most cancer cases. If you get an HPV infection with a high-risk strain, you’re at risk of developing cancer.

According to the American Cancer Society, HPVs can only live in certain types of cells. Specifically, they live in squamous epithelial cells. These cells make up the moist tissue that lines the genitals, mouth, and lungs. Examples of HPV-related cancers include:

• Anal cancer
• Cervical cancer
• Oropharyngeal cancer (head and neck cancer)
• Penile cancer
• Vaginal cancer
• Vulvar cancer

Infection with a low-risk HPV type rarely leads to cancer. Instead, you may develop warts or abnormal growths on different parts of the body. They can affect the genitals, mouth, respiratory tract, or throat.

HPV infections are extremely common. They typically spread through sexual contact with an infected person. The NCI notes that most sexually active people will become infected within the first few years of becoming sexually active. Of all HPV infections, around 50 percent are due to a high-risk HPV type.

How Does HPV Cause Cancer?

HPV is known as an oncogenic virus because it causes cancer. Normally, your immune system can take care of most HPV infections on its own. On average, these infections can clear in one to two years. However, high-risk viruses can hang around in the body for several years.

If your immune system can’t clear out a high-risk HPV type, it can keep infecting your body’s cells. Eventually, the virus interferes with how your cells grow and divide. If they begin multiplying uncontrollably, you may develop a collection of abnormal cells called dysplasia. HPV can cause dysplasia in the cervix, penis, vagina, and anus.

Dysplasia is graded as mild, moderate, or high, depending on its severity. Most mild dysplasia goes away on its own after the immune system gets rid of HPV. However, you may develop precancerous lesions if you have moderate or high-grade dysplasia. Some — but not all — precancerous lesions will eventually become cancerous.

It’s also important to note that having an HPV infection doesn’t mean you’re going to develop cancer. Your immune system can clear away most infections before they become serious. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 1 in 10 women who have an HPV infection on their cervix will develop persistent infections, increasing their risk of cervical cancer.

HPV and Lung Cancer: What’s the Connection?

We know that HPV can lead to genital as well as head and neck cancers, but what about other types? One meta-analysis (review of results from many studies) showed that HPV infection significantly raises the risk of lung cancer. Researchers believe that HPV can enter and infect the lungs through:

• The bloodstream
• Unprotected oral sex
• Inhalation of viral particles from the air

Once the virus is in the lungs, it begins infecting the cells that line the airways. Eventually, these cells can begin growing uncontrollably and lead to cancer. Studies show that HPV-associated lung cancers tend to be aggressive and are diagnosed at a later stage.

Types of HPV and Lung Cancer Risk

HPV 16 and HPV 18 are high-risk HPV types that are well-known causes of cancer. Studies have also found that these viruses play a role in lung cancer risk.

The aforementioned meta-analysis looked at dozens of reports following HPV infection and lung cancer development. The authors found that people infected with HPV 16 were three times as likely to develop lung cancer as those who weren’t infected. They also found that those with HPV 18 were at twice the risk of lung cancer.

HPV Infection and Lung Cancer Type

Lung cancer is divided into two main categories — non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and small cell lung cancer (SCLC). The three most common types of NSCLC are adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), and large cell carcinoma.

HPV infections seem to be associated with some lung cancer types more than others. The same meta-analysis looked at HPV infection rates and in people with certain types of NSCLC and SCLC. They found that HPV infection rates were significantly higher in people with:

• Lung adenocarcinoma
• SCC
• SCLC

Demographics of HPV Infection and Lung Cancer

Researchers have found that lung cancer cases in people who have never smoked and in women have risen steadily over the years. They’ve proposed that HPV infection may be responsible for the increase in new cancer diagnoses. Findings from the large meta-analysis show this may be true. The authors found that women infected with HPV had a significantly higher risk of lung cancer. On the other hand, there was no significant association between HPV infection and lung cancer in men.

The study authors also noted that people with HPV infections who don’t smoke are more likely to develop lung cancer compared to people who smoke and are infected with HPV. Smoking is a leading cause of lung cancer, but HPV infection may play a larger role in the development of lung cancer among people who don’t smoke.

HPV infection rates in lung cancer were also found to be higher in Asian populations than in American or European populations. Over one-quarter of the world’s lung cancer cases involve an HPV infection. China has the highest rate of infections at 37.7 percent, while North America has the lowest at 12.5 percent.

Lowering Your Risk of HPV Infection

If you’re concerned about your risk of HPV infection, you can take extra steps to protect yourself. One risk factor of HPV is having unprotected sex with someone who is infected by the virus.

Limiting your number of sexual partners lowers your chances of HPV exposure. Being in a mutually monogamous relationship — one in which neither party has sex with anyone else — also reduces exposure. Wearing a latex condom or using a dental dam during sex can stop HPV spread as well. However, the NCI notes these protections don’t completely prevent the virus from moving from one person to another.

HPV Vaccination

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has licensed three HPV vaccines. Gardasil 9 has been licensed since 2016 and prevents HPV infection with nine different HPV types. It includes both low-risk and high-risk types known to cause cancers and genital warts.

The CDC recommends the HPV vaccine for:

• People between the ages of 9 and 26 (vaccination is typically recommended at age 11 or 12)
• Some adults between the ages of 27 and 45 if they did not receive the HPV vaccination during their childhood or teenage years

The HPV vaccine isn’t recommended for every adult ages 27 to 45. The CDC recommends talking to your doctor to see if the vaccine is right for you. You can also ask your doctor about other vaccines for lung cancer.

Talk to Your Doctor About HPV and Lung Cancer

If you have a history of HPV, it’s a good idea to talk to your doctor. They can recommend the HPV vaccine (if you’re eligible) or perform cancer screenings as needed. Cervical cancer is the only HPV-associated cancer that can be caught early with screening. Taking extra steps to protect yourself from HPV infection can lower your cancer risk and help you live a healthier life.

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