Gay Twitter™ in shambles over misleading academic article linking oral sex to “throat cancer epidemic”
The Conversation, we’ve seen an alarming rise in throat cancer over the past two decades—specifically oropharyngeal cancer, which effects the tonsils and back of the throat—enough for it to now be deemed an epidemic.The leading cause of oropharyngeal cancer is HPV, the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI), so Dr.
Mehanna cautions that one’s number of sexual partners is a major risk factor: “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,” he adds.The agency says the US is seeing more cases of antibiotic-resistant shigella infections.
Despite the alarm—”six or more lifetime oral-sex partners” sounds like a shockingly low number—there’s no need for excessive panic.
What it comes down to, as it always does with STIs, is practicing safe sex and having access to sexual health information and resources.So, no, oral sex is not directly responsible for throat cancer.
