Does Oral Sex Increase Risk Of Throat & Mouth Cancer?

Oral sex is a typical kind of foreplay that involves kissing or licking the genital area to please a partner. However, it has been suggested that the act itself may raise the risk of throat cancer. HPV (human papillomavirus) can spread during oral intercourse, increasing the risk of cancer. HPV is the most frequent sexually transmitted virus in the United States.

Sexual health poses a variety of hazards, but being concerned about potential health issues can reduce intimacy between partners and, ultimately, quality of life. While caution is always suggested when it comes to sexual health protection, it is necessary to know the facts.

Oral sex and throat cancer facts

1. Oral intercourse cannot cause throat cancer directly, although it can spread HPV.

2. HPV can cause pre-cancerous alterations in cells, which can eventually lead to throat cancer.

3. HPV is thought to be present in 35% of cancers.

4. Tobacco and alcohol use increase the likelihood that an HPV infection may progress to cancer.

5. Early stages of oral cancer can include discoloured tissues in the mouth, unhealed mouth sores and ulcers, and swelling or lumps in the mouth.

The virus does not cause oral cancer directly. The virus causes alterations in affected cells. The virus’s genetic material becomes incorporated into cancer cells, causing them to multiply. This can lead to HPV identification in persons who have cancers caused by other reasons.

Prevalence was substantially lower for both men (1.7%) and women (0.7%) who had only one oral sexual partner in their lifetime. Oral sex, on the other hand, raises the chance of HPV transmission. Extra measures, such as using contraception during oral intercourse and limiting the number of sex partners, are advised.

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