Bad News People: Oral Sex Could Be Bad For You.
Sadly oral sex can lead to cancer. Well, not directly, but they spread HPV, and HPV can cause cancer. Generally speaking,people are more careful about STI’s during penetrative sex but more relaxed with oral sex. However, oral sex carries the same risks and it is sex all the same. If you are single or are in an open relationship, it’s always better to play it safe.
According to Euroclinx, an online health clinic, trends indicate that mouth cancer caused by HPV is on the rise, and may even overtake mouth cancer caused by smoking, it’s a stretch but still it might pay to wrap it up boys and girls because safe sex is always the best kind of sex.
This claim that somehow HPV will overtake smoking as the main cause is questioned by some:
‘Smoking is linked to about 65 per cent of mouth cancers in the UK, whereas only 8 to 14 per cent of cases are thought to be linked to HPV,’ Fiona Osgun, Cancer Research UK’s health information officer, told Metro.
It’s important to note that while there are hundreds of strains of HPV, only around 15 are associated with cancer.
To help prevent contracting HPV during oral sex wear condoms and women place a latex square or dental dam over their genitals. However, it is worth noting here that if you are both disease free, healthy and in a committed relationship going down on her is good good for your health.
The infographic below explains the rise in HPV- related mouth cancer.
