Scientists are discovering a link between men who perform oral sex and certain oral cancers. Johns Hopkins University has been conducting research on the link and have found the risks to be the highest for men who have performed oral sex on five or more partners. The risk is even higher for men who had five or more partners and are also smokers.
Oral Cancers. The study came about when scientists found a higher number of men contracting the HPV cancer-causing virus. The link was soon discovered between the risks of the disease and the number of oral sex partners the men had.
Men vs. Women. The researchers at Johns Hopkins found that men had a considerably higher risk as a direct result of how many partners they had had oral sex with. This did not ring true with women. Sexually active women did not pose near the risk from multiple partners.
HPV-Related Cancers. The study focused specifically on HPV-related cancers in men and women. Specifically, they looked at head and neck cancers derivative from the virus in men.
Higher Risk. HPV has been advertised as a health risk for women over recent years. The HPV vaccine helps fight off certain variations of cervical cancers. Because of this, researchers fear men may be unaware of their own higher risks from HPV.
It's Not Just For Women. Medical professionals want to raise awareness in men for their own risk factors from HPV.
HPV Vaccine. The HPV vaccine is currently being recommended for women and young girls to help ward off cervical cancers. Medical professionals are now saying men need to have the vaccine as well from an even higher risk of neck and mouth cancers.
What is HPV? HPV stands for Human Papillomavirus and has more than 100 variations, similar to the flu virus. However a few of the strands are known to be cancer-causing and that is what the vaccine is for.
The Strands. In particular, HPV16 is known to cause both cervical cancer in women and oropharyngeal cancers in men.
Oropharyngeal Cancer. Studies have actually shown a rapid rise in the rate of oropharyngeal (or throat cancers) in recent years. So much so, they predict it will actually overtake cervical cancer in the number of reported cases in the next three years.
Prevention. Doctors say prevention is key since it is extremely difficult to test and diagnose these type of diseases. Researchers are trying to develop effective screening procedures, but currently there are none. The greatest defense is the HPV vaccine for young girls AND young boys.
The Difference in the Sexes. According to the research, men were at the greatest risk once they reached at least five oral sex partners. It was worse if they were also smokers. The study found that women had a significantly lower risk and it made no difference how many oral sex partners they had in their lifetime.
Highest Rate. For men who had had oral sex with five or more partners in their lifetime and were also smokers, they had a 15% higher risk of contracting an HPV initiated cancer disease.
A Bad Taste? Does that number leave a bad taste in your mouth? It should. The latest research shows men should imperatively seek out information on the HPV vaccination. It's not just for women, guys.
Biological Markers. Researchers are continuing to study the HPV infection rates and looking for ways to determine early detection screenings. They believe they may be able to alienate certain biological markers soon to help them in this quest.
The Math. Now that you've all done the math (come on guys, you know you counted oral sex partners silently in your head as soon as you read the title), do the research. HPV isn't just a problem for women. Talk to your doctors about the potential risks before she drops those panties again.
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