Oral sex linked to throat cancer
<b>A GRAIN OF SCIENCE</b><br><br>A virus contracted through oral sex is the cause of some throat cancers, say US scientists. The Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection was found to be a much stronger risk factor than tobacco or alcohol use, the Johns Hopkins University study of 300 people found.
A GRAIN OF SCIENCE
A virus contracted through oral sex is the cause of some throat cancers, say US scientists. The Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection was found to be a much stronger risk factor than tobacco or alcohol use, the Johns Hopkins University study of 300 people found.
The New England Journal of Medicine study said the risk was almost nine times higher for people who reported oral sex with more than six partners.
But experts said a larger study was needed to confirm the findings. The HPV infection is the cause of the majority of cervical cancers, and 80% of sexually active women can expect to have an HPV infection at some point in their lives.
It is important for healthcare providers to know that people without the traditional risk factors of tobacco and alcohol use can nevertheless be at risk of oropharyngeal (throat) cancer
The Hopkins study took blood and saliva from 100 men and women newly-diagnosed with oropharyngeal cancer which affects the throat, tonsils and back of the tongue.
They also asked questions about sex practices and other risk factors for the disease, such as family history. Those who had evidence of prior oral HPV infection had a 32-fold increased risk of throat cancer.
HPV16, one of the most common cancer-causing strains of the virus, was present in the tumours of 72% of cancer patients in the study. Oral sex was said to be the main mode of transmission of HPV, but the researchers said mouth-to-mouth transmission, for example through kissing, could not be ruled out.
Most HPV infections clear with little or no symptoms, but a small percentage of people who acquired high-risk strains may develop a cancer, the researchers added.
A vaccine, which protects against cervical cancer caused by HPV, is available and the researchers said the study provided a rationale for vaccinating both girls and boys.
A virus contracted through oral sex is the cause of some throat cancers, say US scientists. The Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection was found to be a much stronger risk factor than tobacco or alcohol use, the Johns Hopkins University study of 300 people found.
The New England Journal of Medicine study said the risk was almost nine times higher for people who reported oral sex with more than six partners.
But experts said a larger study was needed to confirm the findings. The HPV infection is the cause of the majority of cervical cancers, and 80% of sexually active women can expect to have an HPV infection at some point in their lives.
It is important for healthcare providers to know that people without the traditional risk factors of tobacco and alcohol use can nevertheless be at risk of oropharyngeal (throat) cancer
The Hopkins study took blood and saliva from 100 men and women newly-diagnosed with oropharyngeal cancer which affects the throat, tonsils and back of the tongue.
They also asked questions about sex practices and other risk factors for the disease, such as family history. Those who had evidence of prior oral HPV infection had a 32-fold increased risk of throat cancer.
HPV16, one of the most common cancer-causing strains of the virus, was present in the tumours of 72% of cancer patients in the study. Oral sex was said to be the main mode of transmission of HPV, but the researchers said mouth-to-mouth transmission, for example through kissing, could not be ruled out.
Most HPV infections clear with little or no symptoms, but a small percentage of people who acquired high-risk strains may develop a cancer, the researchers added.
A vaccine, which protects against cervical cancer caused by HPV, is available and the researchers said the study provided a rationale for vaccinating both girls and boys.