Story of Survival: 'The cancer you can catch'

LITTLE ROCK (KATV) — It's known as "the cancer you can catch," which is why many who get it, don't talk about it.

Now, however, as new guidelines change for a vaccine to prevent it, Nick Genty is sharing his story to help change that.

For eight years, Nick Genty has tirelessly led a team of reporters, producers and many others in daily news coverage as the news director at KATV in Little Rock, Arkansas.

"I noticed I had a lump in the right side of my throat," Genty said.

It turned out, Genty had a stone in his salivary gland. His doctor then referred him to a surgeon for what he thought would be a routine removal, but during surgery, the doctor noticed Genty had a tumor on his right tonsil.

That tumor could have cost Genty his life. Luckily, a throat surgeon close by was called in immediately and was able to remove the tonsil, part of the back of Genty's throat and part of his tongue.

It was Stage 3 throat cancer that left him needing intensive chemotherapy and radiation for months.

"It's a real scary time," Genty said.

Never a smoker or a drinker, Genty and his medical team began exploring what may have caused his cancer. Tumors can now be tested for a number of things to help with targeted treatment.

"Head and neck cancer can be caused by a number of things, including smoking and alcohol, but also, a number of our head and neck cancers that we treat are related to the virus called HPV," said Dr. Vinita Takiar, a radiation oncologist at UC Health who specializes in head and neck cancer.

HPV is also known as the human papillomavirus . The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention now says it's the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States, and it can, according to Dr. Takiar, cause cancer in the back of the throat, including at the base of the tongue and tonsils.

Sure enough, Genty says his team discovered his cancer was caused by HPV -- something, that with the help of a vaccine, could have been prevented.

For years, the HPV vaccine has been recommended for teens and young adults, but now, the recommendation was increased to the age of 45.

"So that makes a whole lot more people eligible to receive the vaccine," Dr. Takiar said.

It's also one of the main reasons Genty is now sharing his story of survival.

"There are so many people that have gone through this. It's not uncommon; it's nothing you should be ashamed of; it's just a part of life," Genty said.

Genty did have clear imaging tests at his last follow-up visit, so he's not only cancer-free, but there are no early signs it has returned.