Is There a Link Between Oral Sex and Throat Cancer?

You might be surprised to learn that the leading cause of throat cancer isn’t smoking. Instead, it’s the human papillomavirus (HPV) — a sexually transmitted infection (STI) that can be spread through oral sex.

So, what exactly are your risks of oropharyngeal (throat) cancer if your mouth meets genital areas during passionate moments? Let’s find out from head and neck surgeon Brandon Prendes, MD, who specializes in cancer treatment.

How are oral sex and throat cancer connected?

HPV is the most common viral STI, often affecting the genitals. About 30 types of HPV can affect your private parts, including a few strains — like HPV-16 — considered high-risk for causing cancer.

You can contract the virus while giving oral sex if your mouth comes into contact with genital tissue infected with HPV. Infections commonly settle in your throat, tonsils or tongue.

Most HPV infections clear and disappear on their own within a year or two, explains Dr. Prendes. But in some cases, HPV can linger unknown for decades in the back of your throat.

The virus replicates over time, which can alter your cells in ways that can lead to cancerous changes. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 60% to 70% of throat cancers in the United States can be traced to HPV.

“I don’t think anyone in our field or any epidemiologist would argue the link between HPV and throat cancer at this point,” says Dr. Prendes. “There’s strong data that HPV is a cause of throat cancer.”

Is oral HPV common?

It’s estimated that about 10% of men and 3.6% of women have oral HPV, according to the CDC. But only about 1% of the population has HPV-16, the type most directly related to throat cancer.

How can you limit your risk?

Dr. Prendes offers five ways to limit your risk of getting oral HPV or HPV-related throat cancer.

• Consider vaccination. If you’re between ages 9 and 45, a three-round HPV vaccine can ward off HPV infection and decrease your chances of developing HPV-related cancers. Dr. Prendes calls it the best answer for prevention: “If a high enough percentage of people were vaccinated, we could see a dramatic drop in what has become an increasingly common form of cancer,” he says.
• Limit your number of sexual partners. Research shows that your throat cancer risk is higher if you’ve had six or more oral sex partners or 26 or more vaginal sex partners during your lifetime.
• Consistently use condoms or dental dams. Placing a barrier between your mouth and another person’s genitals during oral sex reduces the likelihood of HPV being passed via skin-to-skin contact or bodily fluids.
• Schedule regular dental exams. Dentists are often the first to notice changes that may indicate throat or mouth cancer. “Regular exams with your dentist and primary care doctor can catch many illnesses before they become advanced,” notes Dr. Prendes.
• Limit smoking and alcohol use. Smoking and alcohol can damage the lining of your mouth and throat. That makes it easier for HPV to stick while also increasing the difficulty of treating HPV-related cancer. Plus, both vices increase cancer risk on their own.

Signs of throat cancer

It can be easy to overlook signs of throat cancer. “HPV-related throat cancer symptoms often don’t draw attention because they can be explained away as something else,” says Dr. Prendes.

It’s best to schedule a check-up with a healthcare provider if you experience any of the following for more than two weeks:

• Neck mass or swelling
• Ear pain
• Painful swallowing (like something is stuck in the back of your throat)
• Snoring (as a new issue)
• Difficulty eating
• Vocal changes (like hoarseness)
• Sore throat
• Enlarged lymph nodes
• Unexplained weight loss

Early detection and treatment of throat cancer typically result in high cure rates.