Story By Maj Dr. Carl Nutsugah
Oral sex is a commonly performed act of foreplay involving the kissing or licking of the genital area to pleasure a partner. The human papillomavirus (HPV) can spread during oral sex, increasing the risk of throat cancer.
Viva health magazine delves into this controversial topic to try and lay the facts clear.
You likely think of cervical cancer when you hear about the rising incidence of Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). So you might be surprised to learn that this sexually-transmitted virus is also a leading cause of throat cancer (oropharyngeal cancer), and it spreads from person to person via oral sex.
Oropharyngeal cancer is cancer in the oropharynx, which is the middle part of your throat (pharynx). Symptoms include a sore throat that doesn’t go away; a lump in the throat, mouth, or neck; coughing up blood; a white patch in the mouth, and other symptoms. Treatments may include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, targeted drug therapy, and immunotherapy.
Though oral cancers have long been linked to smoking, head and neck surgeons say current research shows that HPV is directly related to some throat cancers. In fact, these cancers are on the rise and soon will outpace new cervical cancer cases.
What are the risks
The No. 1 risk of contracting oral HPV and developing HPV-related throat cancer is having multiple oral sex partners, Dr. Prendes says. Having a higher number of partners increases the risk for both men and women.
Smoking also raises the risk of developing throat cancer. You’re at the greatest risk if you smoke at least a pack a day for 10 years.
How do you limit your risks?
Here Dr. Kofi Agyeman, Vivahealth magazine ENT Surgeon Advisor offers five ways to help you limit your risk of HPV-related throat cancer:
1. Limit your number of lifetime sexual partners
The increase in the risk involved with greater numbers of sexual partners is even greater for oral sexual partners. Also, use condoms or dental dams consistently for some protection.
2. Get Children and young adults vaccinated
For males and females between ages 9 and 45, a three-round HPV vaccine can ward off an HPV infection and likely will lead to decreased risk of developing these HPV- related cancers.
3. Get Screened
Regular screening increases the chances you’ll catch a tumor early. Your doctor will feel your neck, examine your throat and inspect your mouth.
4.Visit your dentist and ENT surgeon
Get regular dental and ENT checkups because dentists and ENT surgeons are often the first practitioners to notice abnormalities with the tongue and tonsils.
5. Quit smoking and limit alcohol
Quit smoking and reduce alcohol consumption to cut your risk.
Conclusion
Overall, HPV-related throat cancers respond well to surgery and radiation. Between 90 and 95% of diagnosed cases have five-year, disease-free survivorship rates. Although researchers are still learning more about HPV-related throat cancer, the verdict about whether HPV is truly to blame is in, Dr. Agyeman says.
“I don’t think anyone in our field or any epidemiologist would argue the link between HPV and throat cancer at this point,” he says. “It’s a strong link.”
“The good news is that when they are caught early, HPV-related oropharyngeal cancers respond well to treatment,” says Dr. Agyeman.
Continue to practice safe sex
