A new blood test may help doctors predict some types of oral cancers.  The research was published in the online edition of the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

Researchers used data from the 500,000 participants in the long-running European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition or EPIC study.  They studied the blood samples of 135 people who developed oropharyngeal or throat cancer.  About one-third of those patients had the  human papillomavirus (HPV) antibody in their blood twelve years before the onset of the actual disease.

HPV antibodies in the blood are associated with a high risk of cancer of the throat.

The patients who tested positive for the antibodies were three times more likely to be alive five years after diagnosis compared to those who tested negative for the antibody.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, HPV is the most common  sexually transmitted virus in the United States.  They say nearly every sexually active person will have the virus at some point in their lives. While 90 percent of cases resolve on their own, HPV can lead to cervical and other genital cancers.

But the researchers say it is responsible for an increasing numbers of oropharyngeal cancers as well, especially among men.  An estimated 30 percent of oropharyngeal cancers are now believed to be HPV-related according to the International Agency  for Research on Cancer (a division of the World Health Organization).  IARC scientists led the research published today along with the National Cancer Institute and the German Cancer Research Center.

Previously, oropharyngeal cancer was associated with tobacco and alcohol use.  It was also relatively rare.  The increase may be linked to changing sexual practices, including an increase in oral sex the researchers said in a press release.  Last month, Hollywood actor Michael Douglas, brought attention to the issue saying his own throat cancer was caused by HPV.

In an interview with the CBC, lead researcher, Paul Brennan said the new test could allow doctors to track patients and begin early treatment if tumors developed.  “The earlier the detection, the better treatment and the greater the survival,” he said.

Dr. Ellie Maghami is chief of the Division of Head and Neck Surgery at the City of Hope National Medical Center in California.  In an interview with CNN, she said “If caught early, about 90% of HPV-related throat cancers can be treated effectively or cured”

Patients can reduce their chances of contracting HPV by taking a vaccine. Using condoms and limiting sex partners can also help to prevent the disease, according to the CDC.  But the only way to completely prevent the disease is to abstain from sexual contact.