Oral sex ups risk of cancer in men more than women

According to a new study, men are four times more likely to get cancer from oral sex than women due to their weaker immune systems, a scientist claims.

Dr Ashish Deshmukh, from the University of Florida says that infected men struggle to rid their bodies of the cancer-causing human papillomavirus (HPV), which causes them to harbour the pathogen for a long time and raises their disease risk.

Earlier research has already highlighted the fact that men may be more willing to perform oral sex due to sexual norms and having fewer inhibitions between the sheets.

HPV is the most common sexually-transmitted infection in the US and can cause cancer of the penis in men.

Women can develop condition in the vulva, vagina or cervix. The infection can also cause cancer of the anus or throat in both sexes.

Speaking to the Inquirer, Dr Deshmukh said that there is good evidence that men acquire oral infections more readily than women, even if they have similar sex practices.

He added that more than the acquisition, it’s the persistence of the virus.

This comes after research released in December last year suggested male virgins can get HPV. They are still at risk of catching sexually-transmitted HPV if they have oral sex, according to the researchers.

According to study author Dr Alan Nyitray from The University of Texas in Houston, HPV vaccination should not be thought of only in the context of sexual behaviour.