Men are twice as likely than women of developing mouth and throat
cancer linked to an infection of papillomavirus (HPV) that can be
generated during oral sex, according to a study published in the United
States.
Nearly two out of three cases of oropharyngeal cancer are caused in the United States and most Western countries by HPV 16 infection and its frequency has increased in recent years, said Gypsyamber D'Souza, an epidemiologist who presented his research at the annual conference on advances in science (AAAS) meeting this weekend.
The practice of fellatio or cunnilingus makes this type of cancer affects more men, especially white middle age, than women.
The analysis shows that these widespread practices begin at an ever younger age and the frequency of new partners is also higher.
"Our study shows that in men the risk of HPV infection increases with the number of partners they have had oral sex," said D'Souza, a professor of epidemiology at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore.
By contrast, among women the number of recent partners do not appear to increase the risk of contracting the disease. And with the same number of relationships, men are also more likely to become infected with HPV.
The study found that women who have more vaginal intercourse are less likely to become infected with HPV during these practices.
That suggests that the first vaginal exposure to HPV confers increased by detonating a strong protective immune response, D'Souza concludes.
Apparently the immune system of men is lower, which makes them more vulnerable to infection, which is quite common and most people eliminates one or two years, although patients male lesser extent than the female.
HPV does not directly cause mutations reponsables tumors, but causes changes in the cells they infect the throat and cervix, which become cancer.
Oral sex increases the risk of oropharyngeal cancer by 22%, according to a study published in January by the trade journal Journal of the American Medical Association. This type of cancer increased 225% in 20 years.
Nearly two out of three cases of oropharyngeal cancer are caused in the United States and most Western countries by HPV 16 infection and its frequency has increased in recent years, said Gypsyamber D'Souza, an epidemiologist who presented his research at the annual conference on advances in science (AAAS) meeting this weekend.
The practice of fellatio or cunnilingus makes this type of cancer affects more men, especially white middle age, than women.
The analysis shows that these widespread practices begin at an ever younger age and the frequency of new partners is also higher.
"Our study shows that in men the risk of HPV infection increases with the number of partners they have had oral sex," said D'Souza, a professor of epidemiology at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore.
By contrast, among women the number of recent partners do not appear to increase the risk of contracting the disease. And with the same number of relationships, men are also more likely to become infected with HPV.
The study found that women who have more vaginal intercourse are less likely to become infected with HPV during these practices.
That suggests that the first vaginal exposure to HPV confers increased by detonating a strong protective immune response, D'Souza concludes.
Apparently the immune system of men is lower, which makes them more vulnerable to infection, which is quite common and most people eliminates one or two years, although patients male lesser extent than the female.
HPV does not directly cause mutations reponsables tumors, but causes changes in the cells they infect the throat and cervix, which become cancer.
Oral sex increases the risk of oropharyngeal cancer by 22%, according to a study published in January by the trade journal Journal of the American Medical Association. This type of cancer increased 225% in 20 years.