Recently, BlackDoctor.org fan emailed us asking: “I heard that a man was diagnosed with cancer after giving a woman oral sex. Is that true, and does the same apply to a woman performing oral sex on a man?”
Additionally, a celebrity diagnosed with oral cancer also said that he got it from oral sex. But is that true?
So we ask the question again: Can oral sex really cause throat cancer? What is throat cancer…and how are they related?
Before we get into that, here are some symptoms of oral cancer you should be aware of:
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Cancer Symptoms to Pay Attention To:
Oral cancer can spread quickly, so early detection is important. Regular screening can help catch oral cancer early when it’s easier to treat. You can perform a self-exam at least once a month by using a bright light and a mirror to look at and feel your mouth, lips, gums, and throat. You should also feel for lumps or enlarged lymph nodes on both sides of your neck and under your lower jaw.
Oral cancer symptoms include:
1. A sore on your lips/mouth
Your healthcare provider should evaluate a sore or irritation that lasts longer than two weeks.
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The Cleveland Clinic states that the sore may appear reddish on your lips. If you have darker skin, it may appear brown or gray. Inside your mouth, the sore may occur as a red or white sore that doesn’t heal.
2. Patches in your mouth/throat
The Cleveland Clinic says that patches inside your mouth you cannot scrape away can indicate precancerous conditions.
Leukoplakia is the word used to describe flat white or gray patches in your mouth or throat.
Erythroplakia describes a slightly raised or red flat patch. Erythroleukoplakia describes patches that are both red and white.
3. Difficulty swallowing/sore throat
Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia) or a sore throat (pharyngitis) that doesn’t go away can indicate cancer.
According to Johns Hopkins, you may feel as though your food is stuck in your chest or have increased pain when swallowing.
4. Hoarseness
Laryngeal cancer (the area of the throat that contains the vocal cords) can cause hoarseness or changes in your voice. See your medical provider for hoarseness that lasts longer than two weeks.
5. Neck mass
Typically, oropharyngeal cancers are asymptomatic. A lump in the neck is one of the first signs of throat cancer and should be evaluated by a medical provider.
Less common signs of cancer
- Ear pain
- Noisy breathing
- Coughing up blood
- Weight loss
- Loose teeth
Cancer death rates continue to decline, according to the American Cancer Society. But cancer caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), a sexually transmitted infection most well-known for causing genital warts and cervical cancer, is still largely a cause for concern. Recent reports have shown a rise in both oral and anal cancer caused by HPV in both women and men.
Oral infections of human papillomavirus, or HPV, affect nearly 7% of Americans, affecting three times as many men (10%) as women (3.6%).
In fact, HPV is now a more common cause of throat and other oral cancers than tobacco. So, the resounding answer to the question does oral sex cause cancer is:
YES.
What is HPV?
Genital human papillomavirus, or HPV, is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections (STIs). There are more than 40 types of HPV that can infect the genital areas of males and females. These HPV types can also infect the mouth and throat.
HPV can cause serious health problems, including genital warts and certain cancers, particularly cervical cancer and throat cancer. There is no certain way to tell who will develop health problems from HPV and who will not. In most cases, HPV goes away by itself before it causes any health problems, and most people who become infected with HPV do not even know they have it.
While the majority of those infected with HPV will clear the infection, researchers have been working to determine why some do and why some don’t develop cancer. A new study published in the journal Cancer investigated risk factors for HPV-associated throat cancer, such as the number of sex partners, sexual behaviors and relationship dynamics.
Researchers compared 163 cancer patients with 345 individuals without cancer. None of the participants had received the HPV vaccine, and more than 95% were over age 40. Participants gave a blood sample and answered questions on their sexual behavior.
The cancer patients in the study were about 80% more likely than those without cancer to have ever performed oral sex on a partner.
They were also younger when they performed oral sex for the first time—37% of cancer patients were under 18, compared with 23% without cancer.
What are some of the risk factors?
The No. 1 risk in contracting oral HPV and developing HPV-related throat cancer is having multiple oral sex partners. Having a higher number of partners increases the risk for both men and women.
Women experience less HPV-related throat cancer, researchers say, because they may have developed an immunological response to fight off cervical cancer. Men don’t have the same immunity.
Smoking also raises the risk of developing throat cancer and decreases the response to treatment in patients that are diagnosed with HPV-related throat cancer. You’re at greatest risk if you smoke at least a pack a day for 10 years.
Experts are now looking into determining if the newly available HPV vaccine is effective in males. The vaccine has been shown to be almost 100% effective for preventing cervical infection.
Throat Cancer
Throat cancer, defined as cancer of the oropharynx, includes the tonsils, base of the tongue and soft palate, and side and back of the throat.
Most of us know that tobacco use and drinking alcohol are still risk factors for head and neck cancers. About 90% of patients with these malignancies either smoke or chew tobacco, or have done so in the past, and up to 80% of oral cancer patients also drink a lot of alcohol, according to the American Cancer Society.
However, over the last five years, 35% of the throat cancer patients treated had no history of smoking, and 90% of these patients showed evidence of oral infection with HPV.
Oral Sex Does Not Equal Safe Sex
Some people think oral sex is safer than penetration sex. But based on new findings, experts agree that it is critical for people to understand that oral sex is not necessarily always safe sex. Which is why it’s important to continue to take precautions to better protect your health, including annual STD screening, talking to your partners about their sexual history, and using protection while having sex.
How do you Protect Yourself?
According to the Cleveland Clinic, here are three ways to help you limit your risk of HPV-related throat cancer:
- Limit your number of lifetime sexual partners. The increase in risk involved with greater numbers of sexual partners is even greater for oral sexual partners. Also, use condoms or dental dams consistently for some protection.
- Get children and young adults vaccinated. For males and females between ages 9 and 45, a three-round HPV vaccine can ward off HPV infection and likely will lead to decreased risk of developing these HPV- related cancers.
- Get screened. Regular screening increases the chances you’ll catch a tumor early. Your doctor will feel your neck, examine your throat and inspect your mouth.
Visit the BlackDoctor.org Cancer center for more articles.
