|
|
May 17, 2007:
Now, this is one disappointing piece of news.
Research has found that oral sex is linked with
cancer.
A study has linked the human papillomavirus (HPV)
to an increased risk of a kind of oral cancer more
often seen in men. A report said that the study,
which is due to appear soon in the New England
Journal of Medicine, shows that men and women who
have six or more oral-sex partners stood the
chance of getting cancer in the tonsils or at the
base of the tongue.
A research which studies around 300 participants
found that those infected with HPV were also 32
times more likely to develop this type of oral
cancer than those who did not have the virus. HPV
infection is said to be driving cancerous growth.
The report added that of the 120 HPV strains
isolated from humans, about 40 are in the mouth
and genital tracts. The new Merck vaccine,
Gardasil protects against four. The study said
that HPV-16 was present in 72 of the 100 cancer
patients enrolled in the study. Significantly, the
findings prove the considerable risks of cancer
that being HPV-positive has for men.
The study goes on saying that the number of
younger people developing this cancer is
increasing. It is due to the change in sexual
behavior over the last decade, the findings
elaborate saying that the idea that oral sex is
risk-free is not correct. It comes with
significant risks, and developing cancer is one of
them.
BY OUR PHARMA CORRESPONDENT
|
