Maryland’s Health Matters - Upper Chesapeake - Fall 2017 - 7

I

f you knew your child could get

cells often have a distinctive look

prevent him or her from having

to them," says V. Dixon King Jr., MD,

cancer, wouldn't you choose to

chair of the Pathology Department

have it done?

at University of Maryland Upper

Today, parents can have their kids

Chesapeake Health. "So when the

vaccinated before being exposed to

biopsy is examined under a micro-

the human papillomavirus (HPV), an

scope, and with the aid of special

extremely common infection that can

stains, the pathologist can usually

spread from person to person through

determine whether or not HPV was

sexual contact. Named for the warts

the cause of the cancer."

(papillomas) that some types of HPV

"I didn't have a clue what HPV was,"

can trigger, HPV causes most cervical

recalls Bennett, who is a driver for

cancers, as well as some cancers of the

Denton Spring Water Co. and a volun-

vagina, vulva, penis, anus and even the

teer firefighter at Water Witch Volunteer

back of the throat.

Fire Company in Port Deposit. "I had to

A SUSPICIOUS LUMP
When Jim Bennett, 52, was a child, this
vaccination wasn't available. In hindsight,
he sure wishes it had been.
During a visit to his primary care

look it up online as soon as I got home.
Turns out it was lying dormant in my
body for 20 to 30 years."
"HPV is so common that nearly all
men and women get it at some point
in their lives," says Dr. King. "It can

physician in 2015 to have his high

be passed from one individual to another

blood pressure checked, Bennett

even when an infected person has

voiced his concern about a lump in his

no signs or symptoms. What's even

neck. After examining the lump, his

more alarming is that you can develop

doctor sent him to ear, nose and throat

symptoms years after being infected,

specialist Steven Marks, MD, in Havre

making it hard to know when you first

de Grace. Two weeks after having a CT

became infected."

scan, which combines a series of X-ray
Bennett formed such a bond
with patient care technician
Leah Warenicz that she attended
a benefit in his honor.

"Cancers caused by HPV-infected

a vaccination that could ultimately

In most cases, HPV goes away on

images taken from different angles,

its own and does not cause any health

and a biopsy of the lump, Bennett was

problems. But when it doesn't go away,

informed that he had throat cancer.

it can lead to one's worst health night-

The culprit was HPV.

mare. In Bennett's case, throat cancer.

Center offer you more hope. Learn more about the UM Cancer Network at umuch.org/healthy.

umuch.org | Fall 2017  7


http://www.umuch.org http://www.umuch.org/healthy

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Maryland’s Health Matters - Upper Chesapeake - Fall 2017

In This Issue
Maryland’s Health Matters - Upper Chesapeake - Fall 2017 - 1
Maryland’s Health Matters - Upper Chesapeake - Fall 2017 - In This Issue
Maryland’s Health Matters - Upper Chesapeake - Fall 2017 - 3
Maryland’s Health Matters - Upper Chesapeake - Fall 2017 - 4
Maryland’s Health Matters - Upper Chesapeake - Fall 2017 - 5
Maryland’s Health Matters - Upper Chesapeake - Fall 2017 - 6
Maryland’s Health Matters - Upper Chesapeake - Fall 2017 - 7
Maryland’s Health Matters - Upper Chesapeake - Fall 2017 - 8
Maryland’s Health Matters - Upper Chesapeake - Fall 2017 - 9
Maryland’s Health Matters - Upper Chesapeake - Fall 2017 - 10
Maryland’s Health Matters - Upper Chesapeake - Fall 2017 - 11
Maryland’s Health Matters - Upper Chesapeake - Fall 2017 - 12
Maryland’s Health Matters - Upper Chesapeake - Fall 2017 - 13
Maryland’s Health Matters - Upper Chesapeake - Fall 2017 - 14
Maryland’s Health Matters - Upper Chesapeake - Fall 2017 - 15
Maryland’s Health Matters - Upper Chesapeake - Fall 2017 - 16
Maryland’s Health Matters - Upper Chesapeake - Fall 2017 - 17
Maryland’s Health Matters - Upper Chesapeake - Fall 2017 - 18
Maryland’s Health Matters - Upper Chesapeake - Fall 2017 - 19
Maryland’s Health Matters - Upper Chesapeake - Fall 2017 - 20
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/manifest/mhm_uc_2019spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/manifest/mhm_uc_2019winter
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/manifest/mhm_uc_2018fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/manifest/mhm_uc_2018spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/manifest/mhm_uc_2018winter
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/manifest/mhm_uc_2017fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/manifest/mhm_uc_2017spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/manifest/mhm_uc_2017winter
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/manifest/mhm_uc_2016fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/manifest/mhm_uc_2016spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/mcmurry/mhm_uc_2016winter
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/mcmurry/mhm_uc_2015fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/mcmurry/mhm_uc_2015summer
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/mcmurry/mhm_uc_2015spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/mcmurry/mhm_uc_2015winter
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/mcmurry/mhm_uc_2014fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/mcmurry/mhm_uc_2014summer
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/mcmurry/mhm_uc_2014spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/mcmurry/mhm_uc_2014winter
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/mcmurry/mhm_uc_2013winter
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/mcmurry/mhm_uc_2013fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/mcmurry/mhm_uc_2013summer
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/mcmurry/mhm_uc_2013spring
https://www.nxtbookmedia.com