In recent years, a dramatic rise in a particular type of throat cancer — known as oropharyngeal cancer — is drawing attention from experts, who say the root cause may be riskier sexual practices rather than the traditional culprits of smoking, heavy drinking or poor diet. According to Hisham Mehanna, a leading head and neck cancer specialist at University of Birmingham, oral sex — particularly with multiple lifetime partners — is now the main driver of this disease in Western countries.
Mehanna explains that over the past two decades the incidence of oropharyngeal cancer has surged to the point where some researchers are calling it an “epidemic”. This particular form of throat cancer — which affects areas such as the tonsils and the back of the throat — is now said to be more common than cervix cancer in both the UK and the US.
The unexpected risk factor
Traditionally, head and neck cancers have been linked to smoking, alcohol and poor nutrition. But the landscape is changing. According to Mehanna, the biggest risk now is the lifetime number of oral-sex partners a person has had. He points out that people who have had six or more oral-sex partners are up to 8.5 times more likely to develop oropharyngeal cancer than people who have not engaged in oral sex.
The underlying cause is infection with the high-risk strains of Human Papillomavirus (HPV), which is sexually transmitted. These HPV strains are already well known for causing cervical cancer, but they also infect cells in the throat region. If the infection persists rather than being cleared by the immune system, it may cause changes that eventually lead to cancer.
Why the sudden rise?
Mehanna and colleagues suggest that changes in sexual behaviour over recent decades — including more people having oral sex and at younger ages — have contributed to the uptick in HPV-related throat cancers. In the UK, for example, around 80 % of adults report having engaged in oral sex at some point in their lives.
At the same time, the decline in smoking may mean fewer throat cancers caused by tobacco, shifting the balance toward HPV-linked cancers instead.
Important caveats
It’s worth emphasising that while the relative risk is high, the absolute risk still remains relatively low. Although a history of multiple oral-sex partners significantly increases risk, only a small fraction of those exposed develop throat cancer. Mehanna specifically notes that “mercifully … only a small number of those people develop oropharyngeal cancer.”
Also, other factors still play a role: immune system strength, age, gender (men appear more vulnerable), and whether the HPV infection persists are all contributors in the progression from infection to cancer.
What you can do
Be aware of persistent throat symptoms: a sore throat that doesn’t go away, a lump in the neck, difficulty swallowing or unexplained weight loss may warrant a check-up.
HPV vaccination: Originally promoted for cervical cancer prevention, HPV vaccination is increasingly recognised as a tool to reduce the risk of HPV-associated throat cancer.
Lower other risks: Not smoking, limiting alcohol consumption and maintaining good oral hygiene can help reduce overall head and neck cancer risk.
Informed sexual behaviour: While oral sex is a normal part of many people’s lives, understanding the risks associated with multiple partners and the possibility of HPV transmission can help you make more informed choices.
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Source References
1. “Oral Sex Is the Leading ‘Risk Factor’ for a Throat Cancer, Expert Says” – Business Insider.
2. “Oral Sex Is a Leading Factor in the Throat Cancer in the U.S., Doctor Says” – People.
3. “Oral sex stoking ‘epidemic’ of throat cancer, say experts” – The Independent.
4. “The role of sexual behavior in head and neck cancer” – PMC (NIH).
5. “Oral sex – Oral Cancer News.”
6. Additional commentary articles.