OROPHARYNGEAL CANCER: PATHOLOGICAL LINK BETWEEN ORAL SEX AND SMOKING
By Alan Hoofring, wikicommons, cc BY - SA 3.0
Introduction
Decades ago, oral cancer was completely unheard of (especially amongst women). Patients were nearly almost male (over 50 years), due to to heavy drinking and smoking.
Research statistics support the claim that oral sex increases the risk of oropharyngeal cancer. However, oral sex practices are mostly done by young sexually active males and females.
Studies indicate that between 14% and 50% of adolescents first experience oral sex before sexual intercourse. Source
Hence, this article is aimed at explaining how human papilloma virus (infection that should be present in the genital regions) trigger mouth problems (oropharyngeal cancer) through oral sex and smoking practices.
Types of oral sex
There are various types of oral sex, depending on the exact body region it is being carried out on. There include:
Fellatio: This is also known as oral penile contact. It is the stimulation of the penis by the mouth.
Cunnilingus: This is the stimulation of the woman's vagina and/or vulva (especially the clitoris) with the lips and tongue. It is also called oral vaginal contact.
Analingus: Though weird to so many people, this act involves the stimulation of the anus with the tongue and lips.
Risk associated with oral sex practices
When compared to vaginal sex, oral sex is mostly considered to be 'infection-free and simple'. However, it is worthy of note that this is a jeopardizing fallacy.
Pregnancy might not be an outcome of oral sex, but sexually transmitted infections (such as herpes, syphilis, gonorrhea, etc) may result from these practices.
Oropharyngeal cancer
As earlier stated, aside from sexually transmitted infections, oral sex can increase the risk of throat cancer. It's important to note that, oral sex does not directly cause throat cancer, but it is caused by human papilloma virus (HPV) acquired from the practice.
There are more than 100 types of HPV, and around 15 are associated with cancer. The subtypes of human papilloma virus (HPV-16) found in the mouth are mostly sexually transmitted. According to research, it is estimated that 35% of throat cancers are infected with HPV. Source
The only possible route that clearly explains how HPV (a genital infection) could get to the mouth is through oral sex. Unfortunately, there is no known 100% effective vaccine for the treatment of HPV infection.
Nevertheless, based on research, the body's immune system clears 90% HPV infection on its own in majority of cases (after 2 years). Source
Link between oral sex and smoking in oropharyngeal cancer
As earlier stated, majority of HPV are cleared by the body's human system. But for individuals that smoke, they're less likely to be able to clear HPV infections, because smoking damages immune cells.
Treatment of oropharyngeal cancer
HPV-related cancers respond readily to chemotherapy and radiation. This is possible if there are detected early.
Conclusion
Although the risk of sexually transmitted diseases are far greater during vaginal and anal sex; oral sex (in cases of bleeding gum, lip sores, and cuts etc) also is not infection-free as well. It's worthy of note that HPV infection could stay dormant and undetected for a long time until it forms precancerous cells.
Though it sounds unrealistic, abstinence is the best way to prevent HPV-related oral cancer. Use of protection and being faithful to one partner is vital in decreasing the chances of getting infected. Also, since smoking has negative impact on the immune cells, it should be stopped.
References
Oral sex
Smoking and oropharyngeal cancer
Treatment of oropharyngeal cancer
Image source
Image is from wikicommons licensed under creative commons and eligible for commercial use.