Oral sex has now been identified as the leading cause of throat cancer, overtaking smoking, alcohol consumption, and poor diet, according to medical experts. 

The rise of oropharyngeal cancer, which affects the tonsils and the back of the throat, is being linked to human papillomavirus (HPV) infections, sparking concerns over what has been termed an “epidemic.”

Dr Hisham Mehanna from the University of Birmingham highlighted the link between multiple oral sex partners and an increased risk of developing throat cancer. 

“Over the past two decades, there has been a rapid increase in throat cancer in the West, to the extent that some have called it an epidemic,” he wrote in The Conversation.

HPV: The main culprit  

HPV, a common group of viruses affecting the skin, is now considered the primary risk factor for oropharyngeal cancer. 

The NHS explains that “they do not cause any problems in most people, but some types can cause genital warts or cancer.” Of the over 100 different types of HPV, certain strains are known to cause cancer by integrating into the DNA of host cells, turning them cancerous in some individuals.  

Dr Mehanna explained, “The prevailing theory is that most of us catch HPV infections and are able to clear them completely. However, a small number of people are not able to get rid of the infection, maybe due to a defect in a particular aspect of their immune system. In those patients, the virus is able to replicate continuously, and over time integrates at random positions into the host’s DNA, some of which can cause the host cells to become cancerous.” 

Role of oral sex  

The number of oral sex partners plays a critical role in the likelihood of developing the disease. “Those with six or more lifetime oral-sex partners are 8.5 times more likely to develop oropharyngeal cancer than those who do not practice oral sex,” Dr Mehanna wrote.

In the UK, approximately 80 per cent of adults have reported practising oral sex at some point in their lives, yet only a small number develop the disease. “Mercifully,” Dr Mehanna assures, “only a small number of those people develop oropharyngeal cancer.”  

Alarming Statistics  

The NHS reports that around 8,300 people are diagnosed with throat cancer annually in the UK, accounting for about 1 in every 50 cancers. Most cases occur in adults over 55, with only 12.5 per cent affecting individuals younger than 50.  

Preventative Measures  

Doctors stress that HPV is transmitted through vaginal, anal, and oral sex with an infected person. Vaccination has proven to be a powerful tool in prevention, with more than 80 per cent efficacy. However, HPV vaccine coverage in England remains below optimal levels, with 67.3 per cent of girls and 62.4 per cent of boys completing the recommended two-dose schedule by Year 9.