Oral Sex and Throat Cancer
May 11, 2007 by Gloria Gamat
Filed under Diseases & Conditions
Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center researchers found conclusive evidence that human papillomavirus (HPV) causes some throat cancers in both men and women.
Study participants who reported having more than six oral sex partners in their lifetime were 8.6 times more likely to develop the HPV-linked cancer.
Oral HPV infection has been found to be the strongest risk factor for throat cancer, as reported by the researchers in the May 10 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
Guess how you’ll get HPV down your throat? By having multiple oral sex partners!
According to the study’s investigators:
Oral sex, including both fellatio and cunnilingus, is the main mode of transit for oral HPV infection, although mouth-to-mouth transmission remains possible and was not ruled out by the current study.
HPVs also can be transmitted by skin contact and are found in the mucus of the genital tract, and in saliva, urine, and semen. Both men and women contract the ubiquitous virus in equal numbers.
Not convinced yet? Read the full report.
