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Head and Neck Surgery

Let’s Talk About Sex: Difficult Conversations About HPV-Related Cancers

Wednesday, October 4, 2023
11:45 AM - 12:45 PM East Coast USA Time
Location: 201AB

    Moderator(s)

  • Brette C. Harding, MD

    Fellow
    University of Texas, Southwestern
    Dallas, TX, United States

    • Panelist(s)

  • Karthik Rajasekaran, MD

    Assistant Professor, Head and Neck Oncologic & Reconstructive Surgeon, Director of QI
    Department of Otorhinolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery, University of Pennsylvania
    Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States

  • Andrew C. Birkeland, MD

    Associate Professor
    UC Davis Health
    Sacramento, CA, United States

  • MM

    Michelle Mierzwa, MD

    Associate Professor
    University of Michigan Department of Radiation Oncology
    Ann arbor, MI, USA

Disclosure(s):
Andrew C. Birkeland, MD: No relevant relationships to disclose.
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: As Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) associated head and neck cancer became the most common HPV-associated cancer in 2020, otolaryngologists need to know how to discuss this diagnosis with their patients. Patients are reading more about this disease via the internet, and are asking more and more questions based on the information they have learned. Many common topics that patients wished to have addressed include routes of transmission, infidelity, risk of future transmission, partner risk for development of HPV-associated cancers, and ability to participate in future sexual activities. Addressing these questions is essential to providing comprehensive cancer care. In order to be able to adequately answer these questions, otolaryngologists need to be comfortable having conversations about sexual transmission and future sex practices. This panel will help to provide the audience with helpful responses to some of the most common questions that HPV positive cancer patients are asking.

OUTCOME OBJECTIVE 1: Describe common questions that patients with HPV-associated H&N cancer are asking their physicians.

OUTCOME OBJECTIVE 2: Construct evidence-based answers to patients' questions about transmission of HPV and development of cancer.

OUTCOME OBJECTIVE 3: Develop evidence-based answers to patients’ questions on partner risk and future sex practices.

BACKGROUND STATEMENT: Many otolaryngologists have not had to discuss sexual practices with their patients since medical school. However, with the emergence of HPV-associated H&N cancer, skills to have these discussions are now necessary for otolaryngologists.