Oral s*x may seem like a harmless and fun activity, but it can also expose you to a dangerous virus that can cause cancer in your mouth and throat. That virus is called human papillomavirus (HPV), and it is one of the main causes of oropharyngeal cancer. A new study published in CANCER, a journal of the American Cancer Society, reveals how your oral sex habits can affect your chances of getting this deadly disease. Here are the key findings—and to protect your health and the health of others.
– The More Partners, the Higher the Risk
The study compared 163 people who had HPV-related oropharyngeal cancer with 345 people who did not. The researchers found that having more than 10 oral s*x partners in your lifetime increased your risk of getting HPV-related oropharyngeal cancer by 4.3 times. That’s a huge difference!
– Other Factors Also Matter
The study also looked at other aspects of oral s*x that could influence your risk of cancer. They found that:
– Starting oral s*x at a younger age
– Having more partners in a shorter period of time (oral s*x intensity)
– Having an older partner when you were young
– Having a partner who cheated on you
All of these factors were linked to a higher chance of getting HPV-related oropharyngeal cancer. The researchers explained that these factors could reflect a higher exposure to HPV from different sources.
Be Careful and Get Tested:
The study’s lead author, Virginia Drake, MD, Johns Hopkins Hospital Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, tells Eat This, Not That! Health that the study shows how relationship dynamics can affect your cancer risk. “Having an older s*xual partner when a person is young, for example, may represent a relationship where the older partner is more likely to expose the younger partner to HPV, and thus this captures a measure of risk beyond that captured by number of partners alone,” she says.
So what can you do to lower your risk of HPV-related oropharyngeal cancer? The best way is to prevent HPV infection in the first place. You can do that by:
– Getting vaccinated against HPV
– Using condoms or dental dams during oral s*x
– Limiting your number of s*xual partners
– Getting regular screening tests for HPV and oral cancer
If you have any symptoms of oral cancer, such as a sore throat, difficulty swallowing, or a lump in your neck, see your doctor right away. early detection and treatment can save your life.
