HPV and Cancer
HPV, human papillomavirsus, is a very common STD, affecting about 50% of the population who has engaged in sex at least once in their lifetime. The virus is transmitted through oral, vaginal or anal sex. Many people who contract the virus can live with it unknowingly, showing no symptoms throughout their lifetime; others develop genital warts. HPV can cause cervical and endometrial cancer, and the virus is now being associated with oral cancer.
The Link between HPV and Oral Cancer
Scientists believe that oral cancer can be caused by the oral transmission, both through cunnilingus and fellatio, of HPV. Smoking and drinking itself can cause oral cancer, but when combined with HPV, can dramatically increase the risk of getting oral cancer. Those diagnosed with oral cancer are increasingly being found to be HPV positive. In fact, having the virus can increase the chances of developing oral cancer by more than 30 times.
Men are at Higher Risk for Cancers Associated with HPV
It is widely accepted that men are at a higher risk from getting cancers associated with HPV. The reasoning is because of the variety of cancers possible for them to develop: they are at risk for penile, anal, and oral cancers which can stem from HPV transmission.
Prevention
It is possible to reduce the oral transmission of HPV:
- Try flavored condoms. Condoms are not completely effective in the spread of HPV since skin contact itself, if the virus or genital warts are present, can be enough to pass the disease. However, they are certainly strongly recommended to reduce the risk.
- Get recommended testing for STDs from your health care provider. If you are diagnosed with HPV, share this information with your sexual partners. Similarly, you may want to ensure that your partners have been tested.
- Use a dental dam. As with condoms, this will not be 100% insurance against transmission, but it can greatly reduce the risk.
- Refrain from smoking or drinking alcohol, or try to moderate your intake. Both of these factors have been associated with HPV in causing oral cancer. Smoking can increase the risk of cancer by three times, and drinking by two and half times.
- Engage in sexual activities other than oral sex. Manual stimulation can be a pleasurable, lower risk option.
- Consider monogamy, or reducing the number of sexual partners you have. A study showed that having more than six oral sex partners in a lifetime increased the chances of getting some kinds of oral cancer by almost ten times.
HPV and Oral Cancer: What Everyone Should Know
The link between the HPV virus and oral cancer can have serious repercussions. Talk to your doctor about any concerns you may have.
Learn more about ways to boost your immune system naturally here.
Sources:
http://www.oralcancerfoundation.org/facts/humanpapillomavirus.htm
http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn4712-oral-sex-linked-to-mouth-cancer.html
http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1619814,00.html
