Oral sex is now the main cause of throat cancer

May be an image of 1 person and text

 

 

Oral sex is fueling an “epidemic” of throat cancer, surpassing cervical cancer in prevalence in the UK and US, according to experts. Dr. Hisham Mehanna from the University of Birmingham highlights a specific type—oropharyngeal cancer—linked to the human papillomavirus (HPV). “Over the past two decades, there has been a rapid increase in throat cancer in the West,” Mehanna noted, with HPV as the primary cause.

HPV, a group of over 100 viruses, usually causes no harm but can lead to genital warts or cancer in some cases, according to the NHS. Mehanna explains, “The main risk factor is the number of partners someone has had oral sex with.” Those with six or more lifetime oral sex partners are 8.5 times more likely to develop oropharyngeal cancer.

Most people clear HPV infections naturally, but a small minority can’t due to immune system defects. “In those patients, the virus replicates continuously, integrating into the host’s DNA and potentially causing cancer,” Mehanna wrote.

Around 80% of UK adults report having had oral sex, yet only a small fraction develop the disease. The NHS reports that throat cancer accounts for about 8,300 diagnoses annually in the UK, with most cases occurring in adults over 55. Fortunately, Mehanna reassures that the majority of HPV infections don’t lead to cancer.

Related Posts

Angel Reese got dunked over at McDonald’s All-American contest, and her face was priceless

There’s a case that the talent at the top of the 2025 boys McDonald’s All-American Game is the best in the history of the event, and BYU commit A.J. Dybantsa…

Justine Bateman defends decision to age naturally

It’s no secret that Hollywood stars, particularly women, feel pressure to keep up their looks as they get older. We constantly hear about the latest cosmetic procedures…

George Lopez Decides to Quit His Legendary TV Show and Leave the US: “I Can’t Live Here for the Next 4 Years”

Comedy icon George Lopez has made a surprising announcement, revealing his intention to step back from his long-standing television career and leave the United States. He cited…

Sally Field, 76, Called ‘Ugly’ after Deciding to Age Naturally – She Found Joy in Being a Grandma of 5 Living in Ocean-View House

Sally Field found success in Hollywood after appearing in the show “Gidget,” which launched her career. She was criticized for her appearance after deciding to age naturally….

What Angel Reese’s injury that ended WNBA rookie season means for her Unrivaled league status

Angel Reese said she’s looking forward to “a major comeback” after suffering a season-ending wrist injury in the Sky’s 92-78 victory over the Sparks on Friday. The…

Mea,ning behind the ‘WC’ sign ou,tside bathro,oms

Have you ever noticed the letters WC posted outside a public bathroom and wondered what it means? If so, you’re not alone as people around the world…

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *