ORAL SEX: A CAUSE OF ORAL CANCER

The menace of oral cancer resulting from HPV infection a sexually transmitted disease calls for concern. It’s commonly seen in sexually active male and female hence the need to throw more light on the topic.

Oral sex involves contact between the sex organs (vaginal, penis) and the oral cavity (mouth).Human papilloma virus infection forms the link between sexual organs and the mouth because it infects and replicates in stratified squamous epithelium. This epithelium is the lining epithelium of the oral cavity, vagina and the skin (penis ,anus) hence infection of these parts of the body of all age groups in both sexes.

 

HPV TYPES
Low risk e.g types6, 11

They cause benign lesions of the oral cavity, genitalia and skin.

High risk e.g types16 and 18

They cause cancer of the oral cavity and genital regions

Modes of transmission

Sexually: This could be through oral, anal and vaginal sex

Nonsexually:  This is from mother to child, as well as intimate contacts of infected skin and mucosal surfaces

Note: Majority of HPV infection clears in a year or two according to researchers however a small percentage persists to cause benign and malignant lesions.

Benign lesions include oral and genital warts which can be treated .

 

Requirements for transmission

An abraded surface is required for inoculation of the virus and subsequent transmission from an infected individual to his/her partner. HPV can be transmitted by direct contact with skin or mucosa, during intimate contacts of the genitalia or other mucosal surfaces infected.

 

 Sources of abrasion include:

1. Forceful penetration of male through the female vagina can cause abrasion of both the penis and the vagina.

2. Multiple male sexual partners with different penile size.

3. Forceful delivery of the newborn through the birth canal of an infected mother.

Oral cancer from oral sex

Tongue cancer

 

cancer of the throat

Partners with persistent infection by the high risk HPV have come down with oropharyngeal cancer mostly and oral cancers according to medical researchers with existing facts in the scientific literature. Any part of the mouth can be affected.

Oral/oropharyngeal cancers have been found in both male and female however male predominance have been reported possibly due to the increased cervical cancer rate in women caused by HPV .

Other factors that can predispose an individual to cancer include:

Smoking (active or passive)

Alchohol consumption

Irradiation (uv light/xrays)

Genetics (Family history)

Preventive methods/caution

1. Avoid early exposure to sex, wait till you are married and do it with only your partner.

2. Avoid multiple sexual partners.

3. Avoid homosexuality and bisexuality.

4. Sexually active females should have periodic cervical screening.

5. Undergo regular dental checkup for early diagnosis of premalignant oral lesions for prompt treatment  before progression of lesion to frank cancer.