That's a blow: lots of oral sex at a young age could increase the risk of developing HPV-related mouth and throat cancer, a study warns
- HPV infection of the mouth and throat can lead to oropharyngeal cancer
- Researchers from the United States asked 508 people about their health and sexual habits
- People with 10 oral sex partners are 4.3 times more likely to develop throat cancer
- The risk is also increased by sex outside of marriage, the experts warned
According to one study, having oral sex at a young age increases the risk of developing mouth and throat cancer-related human papillomavirus (HPV) -related cancer.
Researchers from the United States interviewed more than 500 people about their sexual practices – including 163 people with something called oropharyngeal cancer.
The oropharynx is the name given to the middle part of the throat behind the mouth and includes the back third of the tongue, tonsils, and the soft palate.
The team found that 10 or more oral sex partners increased the risk of oropharyngeal cancer by 4.3 times.
The work builds on previous studies that have linked oral sex to HPV-related cancer – caused by the virus that infects the mouth and throat.
According to one study, having oral sex at a young age increases the risk of developing mouth and throat cancer-related human papillomavirus (HPV)
"It is not just the number of oral sexual partners, but also other factors, previously unrecognized, that contribute to the risk of oral exposure to HPV and subsequent HPV-related oropharyngeal cancer," said paper author Virginia Drake.
"As the incidence of HPV-related oropharyngeal cancer continues to grow in the US, our study provides a timely assessment of risk factors for the disease," added the Otolaryngologist at Johns Hopkins University.
We discovered additional nuances on how and why some people may develop this cancer to help identify those who are at higher risk. & # 39;
In their study, Dr. Drake and colleagues reported 508 people – including 163 with HPV-related oropharyngeal cancer – about their oral sex behavior.
The team found that 10 or more oral sex partners were linked to a 4.3-fold increase in the likelihood of developing HPV-related mouth or throat cancer.
In addition, a higher risk of cancer was also associated with performing oral sex with many different partners in a short period of time, as well as having oral sex at a younger age.
In addition to the role that timing and frequency of oral sex play, the team also found that people with older sexual partners were at higher risk for HPV-related oropharyngeal cancer in their teens.
Similarly, people who have sex outside of marriage have been found to have a higher risk of cancer.
The full results of the study were published in the journal Cancer.
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