Healthy Difference on 'Today's THV at 5': Oral Cancer and Women

Oral cancer has primarily been a man's disease, but it's now affecting women and HPV is partly to blame.

According to one online report, more than 34,000 Americans will be diagnosed with oral or pharyngeal cancer this year. It will cause over 8,000 deaths, killing roughly 1 person per hour, 24 hours per day.

Not only have the numbers increased with women due to smoking and drinking, but something else.

HPV or human papilloma virus is the main cause of cervical cancer; but it can also be transferred through sexual activity.

Doctors are trying to figure out the association between the two and are encouraging women and men to check their cheeks, tongue, tonsils and larynx for possible lesions.

In doing these simple steps, doctors say lives can be saved.