Philippine Dentist Issue Warning Over Oral Sex
Dentists in the Philippines have warned members of the public that oral sex could increase the risk of oral cancer more than drinking and smoking.
Doctors and dentists spoke at a joint conference held by the Philippine Dental Association and the Philippine Medical Association to highlight the role the human papilloma virus plays in oral cancer risk. Speakers cited a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, which revealed that people who have had five or more oral sex partners are more likely to develop oral cancer. The human papilloma virus, known as the HPV, is spread through unprotected oral sex and is also linked to an increased risk of cervical cancer in women when spread through sex.
Vic Fileo Chua, from the Movement for the Early Detection of Cancer, said that unprotected oral sex increases the risk of mouth and throat cancer, but most people are unaware of the risk and surveys have revealed that the majority of young people in the Philippines engage in oral sex without using any form of protection.
Anne Camus, president of the Manila branch of the Philippine Dental Association, said that it is important that people are aware of the signs they should be looking out for, including lesions, red and white patches, ulcers and abnormal lumps and swellings in the mouth and throat. Attending regular dental check-ups can help to ensure that cases of oral cancer are diagnosed and treated as early as possible.
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