Facebook Pixel

Can Blow Jobs Give You Cancer?

 
Rate This

A recent study just confirmed a link between oral sex and mouth cancer. The British Medical Journal reports that an increase in the sexually-transmitted disease HPV (human papillomavirus) correlates with the prevalence of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC).

Researchers from the Institute of Head and Neck Studies and Education at England's University Hospital Coventry report that this particular form of cancer infects the back of the mouth and the entrance to the throat. The number of cases of OSCC has increased by 50 percent in the past 20 years and HPV, transmitted through oral sex, may be the reason.

"Sexual transmission of HPV -- primarily through orogenital intercourse -- might be the reason for the increase in incidence of HPV related oropharyngeal carcinoma," says study leader Hisham Mehanna. "The emergence of new data such as this may increase motivation amongst national vaccination authorities worldwide to re-double efforts to vaccinate children before they become sexually active."

I could bore you with more statistics and meaningless rhetoric, but right now I’d rather discuss the implications of these findings on the average woman. Looking at this study, I can’t help but notice the inter-connectedness of human sexuality. Cancer is arguably the greatest threat to human health in this day and time. This means that the link between cancer and oral sex holds great potential.

So far, the only STD to be correlated with death is HIV/AIDS, and for most people that form of suffering represents a more generalized relationship between sexual contact and life-threatening illness. The association of oral sex with cancer, however, takes the meaning of the word protection to a whole new level. It hints at the fact that from now on, not only do we need to be concerned about the ramifications of intercourse, we also need to watch ourselves while being intimate in general.

One can’t help but envision a whole universe of future health risks; hand jobs may cause a fatal skin condition or cunnilingus may lead to vaginal atrophy. The mere possibility of fatal diseases induced by bedroom activities is enough to make us stop and wonder.

I guess that the question I'm really wrestling with right now is this: How long will it take before French kissing causes facial paralysis and nipple clamps cause breast cancer? Because of this study, the threat of disease has been cast wide open and is increasingly more severe. The consequences of sexual activity now reach beyond emotional impact and subsequently have the ability to alter the course of human existence. Are we ready to deal with that?

Add a Comment4 Comments

Expert HERWriter Guide Blogger

HPV-related oral cancers have been on the rise in recent years. In the United States HPV causes 64 percent of oropharynxl (throat) cancers. In the rest of the world, tobacco remains the leading cause of oral cancer. http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2011/03/01/133968901/virus-passed-during-oral-sex-tops-tobacco-as-throat-cancer-cause

April 7, 2011 - 10:34pm
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

After reading this article, I decided that I will never ask my gf, or any of my future gfs / fiancees / wives for blowjobs ever again! You might have just saved countless lives... or not. Most likely not.

April 7, 2011 - 6:20pm
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

hmm... maybe i didn't read carefully enough but if the risk is mostly from people with HPV, what if you have the HPV vaccine? Or what if your partner simply doesn't have it? I know HPV is really common and can't be tested for on men. But I think this threat is smaller than it is made out to be.

July 1, 2010 - 8:31am
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous (reply to Anonymous)

Anonymous (#1): I think you hit the nail on the head. From the data given here, oral sex is obviously not inherently dangerous. It's only potentially dangerous if the recipient has HPV. Bottom line: Everyone should get vaccinated, and use condoms if you're gettin' down with someone you don't know very well (though I should add that condoms aren't guaranteed protection against HPV, so vaccination is really the ideal route to take)....

April 7, 2011 - 11:37pm
Image CAPTCHA
Enter the characters shown in the image.
By submitting this form, you agree to EmpowHER's terms of service and privacy policy
Add a Comment

We value and respect our HERWriters' experiences, but everyone is different. Many of our writers are speaking from personal experience, and what's worked for them may not work for you. Their articles are not a substitute for medical advice, although we hope you can gain knowledge from their insight.

Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Get Email Updates

Sexually Transmitted Diseases Guide

Have a question? We're here to help. Ask the Community.

ASK

Health Newsletter

Receive the latest and greatest in women's health and wellness from EmpowHER - for free!