Recent Study Shows a Link Between Some Head and Neck Cancers and Oral Sex

The study indicated that the human papillomavirus (HPV) is a major trigger for these types of cancers, and HPV can be transmitted through this type of sexual activity.

Statistics

"It's gotten to the point now where 60 to 70 percent of all tonsil cancers in the U.S. are HPV-related," Lydiatt said. Although the link between HPV and these types of cancers is indisputable, the association with oral sex is strong but a little more speculative, experts say.”

The Study

“A 2007 study in the New England Journal of Medicine found that younger people with head and neck cancers who tested positive for oral HPV infection were more likely to have had multiple vaginal and oral sex partners in their lifetime.”

The study also indicated that having six or more oral sex partners over a lifetime was associated with a 3.4 times higher risk for oropharyngeal cancer.

Conclusion

The researcher concluded that oral sex was strongly associated with oropharyngeal cancer. However, in most cases nearly ninety percent of HPV infections resolve themselves within a two year period.

Source: http://health.yahoo.net/news/s/hsn/riseinsomeheadandneckcancerstiedtoora...