Oral sex can increase the risk of Cancer
Even though oral sex may help in improving your sex life it can also increase the risk of oral cancer. A recent research conducted by US scientist found strong connection between oral cancer and sex. The study also found a sharp rise in human papilloma viruses or HPV infection which is one off the main causes of oral cancer. Researchers found that there was a 225% increase in oral cancer cases in US and one of the main causes for the rise is HPV infection.
According to Maura Gillison of Ohio State University, one of the main reasons for rise in oral cancer in people is the number of people they have performed oral sex. When the number of partners that you have oral sex increases, the risk of oral cancer increases. Scientists have also found that chances of acquiring HPV infection increases in people by 800 percent if they have oral sex with 6 or more partners.
According to National Cancer Institute, there are more than 150 different types of HPV infections and about 40 HPV infections can be transmitted when a person has oral sex with their partner. Some HPV infection can cause genital warts while other high-risk infections can cause anal, oral, virginal or penile cancer. These infections are common and may cause cervical cancer in women if they are untreated.
People who sexually active are likely to get HPV infection at some point and it is important that you get the right vaccine to protect yourself. Cervarix and Gardasil are two vaccines that are approved by US Food and Drug Administration that you can use to protect yourself from this infection. Men who are vaccinated can reduce the chances of genital warts by more than 90 percent. However, general population and people who are not sexually active need not get HPV vaccine because the risk of HPV is low in these people.
To reduce the chances of HPV infection, it is important that people discuss HPV with their doctors. Most teenagers are unaware of the risk associated with oral sex and it is important that they know about the risk associated with oral sex.
Category: Cancer, Health News, Health Problems