ORAL SEX IS NOW THE LEADING RISK FACTOR FOR THROAT CANCER

Oral sex is the leading “risk factor” for oropharyngeal cancer, a specific kind of throat cancer that affects the tonsils and back of the throat, according to British expert Dr. Hisham Menanna.

While throat cancer is often considered to be a consequence of smoking, the main cause of oropharyngeal cancer is human papillomavirus (HPV).

Over the past two decades, there has been a rapid increase in throat cancer in the west. This has been due to a large rise in a specific type of throat cancer called oropharyngeal cancer (the area of the tonsils and back of the throat).

The main cause of this cancer is the human papillomavirus (HPV), which are also the main cause of cancer of the cervix. Oropharyngeal cancer has now become more common than cervical cancer in the US and the UK.

HPV is sexually transmitted. For oropharyngeal cancer, the main risk factor is the number of lifetime sexual partners, especially oral sex. Those with six or more lifetime oral-sex partners are 8.5 times more likely to develop oropharyngeal cancer than those who do not practise oral sex.

HPV vaccination of young girls and boys has been implemented in many countries to prevent cervical cancer and throat cancer

Source: https://theconversation.com/oral-sex-is-now-the-leading-risk-factor-for-throat-cancer-204063