Ora Sex Can Cause Cancer

[ladylove]

Oral Cancer Rates Rising Due to Virus Spread by Sex

Posted October 20, 2008 2:52 PM

Posted in hpv, oral cancer, oral sex, std

Oct. 13 -- Ten years ago, most of Dr. Brian Nussenbaum's oral cancer patients were men over 60 who used tobacco and drank heavily.

Today, his patients with oral cancer look different. And so does the risky behavior that seems to be leading to their cancer.

Nussenbaum, an ear nose throat doctor at Washington University, estimates that 70 percent of his cancer patients have tumors on the back of their tongues and tonsils caused by human papillomavirus-16. Most of those patients are between ages 45 and 55. About half are women.

And experts suspect that all of them -- men and women -- got the HPV from oral sex.

"We know now that 98 percent of cervical cancer is caused by HPV, and mostly HPV-16," says Nussenbaum. "But no one talks about how you can also get mouth cancer from it."

Last week, Dr. Harald zur Hausen, a German doctor and scientist, was awarded the Nobel Prize for medicine for finding human papilloma viruses that cause cervical cancer, the second most common cancer among women.

In awarding zur Hausen the prize, the Nobel assembly said he "went against current dogma" in the 1970s when he discovered that certain types of HPV caused the cancer and that the DNA of HPV could be found in tumors.

More than 20 years passed before researchers at Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center reported a link between HPV and these specific throat cancers in 2000. They and other medical experts suspect the increase in HPV oral cancer stems from a shift in sexual behaviors about 40 years ago, combined with a dramatic decrease in the number of tonsillectomies performed. Cancer from the HPV virus often develop on the tonsils.

In the John Hopkins study, researchers compared healthy people to patients with HPV oral cancer and concluded that people with HPV infections were 32 times more likely to develop the oral cancer than those without HPV. And people who had more than six oral sex partners in their lifetime were 8.6 times more likely to develop the HPV-linked cancer.

These findings have ramifications for anyone who is sexually active. Parents have another reason to think hard whether they want their adolescent daughters, and perhaps even sons, vaccinated with Gardasil, a drug that helps protect against human papillomavirus. And even baby boomers who thought they'd dodged the STD bullet, may not have after all.

Experts believe the HPV lies dormant for years, perhaps decades, before causing the cancer. No one knows for how long, because there's so little data on the disease. The National Cancer Institute determined recently that the rate of oral cancer caused by HPV has risen steadily since 1973.

Dr. Mark Varvares, chairman of the department of otolaryngology at St. Louis University, says it's hard to get patients with HPV oral cancer to participate in studies.

"It's extremely difficult because of the connotations of this being associated with people who are sexually promiscuous," Varvares says.

The Johns Hopkins study was conducted using a computer system that provided anonymity, with hopes of getting honest answers.

Nussenbaum says a lot of doctors spend very little time, if any, discussing the cancer's link to oral sex. He's given second opinions to several patients whose diagnosing doctors never mentioned HPV or its link to sexual behavior.

"In clinic, I let patients direct the conversation," Nussenbaum says. "I don't push or force the issue. It can get a bit uncomfortable especially when there are other family members, like children or spouses, in the room."

Symptoms of HPV oral cancer can include difficulty swallowing, a sore throat that won't go away, ear pain and a lump in the neck. Blood tests won't detect this type of cancer. But blood and saliva tests can detect HPV. None are being used in mainstream clinical settings yet.

The only good news with this type of cancer is that the tumors are highly sensitive to radiation and chemotherapy.

Nussenbaum says that even with stage 3 and 4 HPV cancer, the chance of living for three years is nearly 90 percent. For patients with non-HPV cancer, the survival rate is usually about 55 percent.

"The tumor cells of patients with HPV cancer are different at the gene level than those with non-HPV cancer," he says. "Even under a microscope, the tumor looks different. The shape and size of the cells are different."

Varvares notes how discovering HPV oral cancer has allowed experts to better understand the mechanics of managing it. Most major medical centers now treat it with chemotherapy and radiation and have had enough success that they're trying to determine the lowest doses they can use while maintaining that cure rate, he says.

"As clinicians, we don't like to pound patients with chemotherapy without any significant effect on the tumor. That's a nightmare for us," he says. High doses of radiation can cause permanent scarring and narrowing of the throat, problems with swallowing and dry mouth. Varvares estimates that about 30 percent of oral cancer patients must have permanent feeding tubes installed.

Experts are looking at different ways of preventing HPV oral cancer.

Varvares says experts are hoping to begin screening cervical cancer patients and their partners for oral HPV using the blood and saliva tests.

And Nussenbaum says experts are considering testing whether Gardasil can prime the immune system to fight the cancer. Typically, he notes, the vaccine is used preventively, so this could lead to a new way of using it.

Meanwhile, everyone agrees, practicing safe oral sex with condoms and dental dams is the best way to guard against oral HPV, which can lead to the cancer. So is getting the word out that it exists.

Nussenbaum recalls telling a patient that she had HPV oral cancer and that patient turning to her two teenage daughters, looking them right in the eyes and saying, "See. I told you sex can kill you."

[ladylove]

Pappy, your Grandpa was right.......

[ManofHerdreams]

Pappy, your Grandpa was right.......

He certainly may be but even the air we breath is bad for us these days.

I'll take my chances I guess

ETA: my SO is the safest person on earth!!!

Man

[Mikayla1]

I actually brought this up many months ago after seeing it on Discovery Healthy channel. So many patients are getting this now, and are linking it back to oral sex.

So, I will say it again - USE DENTAL DAMS OR CONDOMS - cause no sex is worth cancer or AIDS.

[sun_flower969]

OK OK now let me get this straight... It is the VIRUS that is causing the cancer correct? It is communicable and it spreads via intercourse AND oral sex right? So it's not that oral sex causes cancer, it's the virus and it can be spread via intercourse as well. I guess that just means more protection is needed for safe sex in all forms...

Cripes what's next!

[mystofpric]

HPV is teh Virus that cause worts and cervical cancer. It cause all worts, for teh record, not toads. There are roughly 41 known froms of HPV that are sexually transmitted, but there is teh scarypart about this virus, it is spread through SKIN TO SKIN CONTACT. This means that while condoms help prevent some skin contact, it isn't a fix. While bumping and grinding there is still skin to skin contact. Same with oral sex. This is why having an annual exam is so important, it's the only way to know since not all forms cause VISIBLE worts. That's right ladies, you can have worts up there. Also, since there is no test for HPV yet in men (unless again they ahve visible worts) you have to protect yourself. So especially women not in commited relationships, or who have recently gotten into one you need to be care. I tend to rule out married or long term relationships only because after 2 years (on average) the body will fight off this virus.

In women HPV can cause:

Cancer of teh mouth and throat

Cervical cancer

Rare Vanginal Cancer

Rectal Cancer

Worts

In men HPV can cause:

Penile Cancer

Rectal Cancer

Cancer of the mouth and throat

Testicluar cancer (i think)

Worts

[Tyger]

Yes, that's what the article is saying, it's not oral sex itself, but the viruses that can be passed on thru oral (and genital) sex. The topic's title was a bit misleading/vague.

[mystofpric]

Yes, that's what the article is saying, it's not oral sex itself, but the viruses that can be passed on thru oral (and genital) sex. The topic's title was a bit misleading/vague.

How about attention getting?

[Tyger]

Yes, it definitely was that!! LOL

[johnwilliams15241]

Whoa,now we got a scary topic...what isn't safe,they always said you can't catch

anything from bareback oral sex...all women taste good,I couldn't imagine

using a dam to muffdive,without tasting her orgasm,how would I enjoy doing it

anymore...through the years I've went down on alot of different women...I go

down on my current girlfriend everyday,sometimes twice a day...I haven't

noticed anything yet...good thing its cureable,because I'm addicted to the taste...

[Tyger]

Muff, yes, some of the stuff is treatable, however some of it isn't, like AIDS, & herpes. AIDS is, well, self-explanatory. It may not cause cancer, but it can cause DEATH. Some cancer isn't detected until it's too late either. Herpes has also been linked with cervical cancer, and yes, you can get genital herpes in your MOUTH. They never thought you could, but it's been proven, in the last 10 yrs or so, to in fact, get passed on orally as well. So, be careful! Get tested, and once clear, enjoy!

[johnwilliams15241]

Muff, yes, some of the stuff is treatable, however some of it isn't, like AIDS, & herpes. AIDS is, well, self-explanatory. It may not cause cancer, but it can cause DEATH. Some cancer isn't detected until it's too late either. Herpes has also been linked with cervical cancer, and yes, you can get genital herpes in your MOUTH. They never thought you could, but it's been proven, in the last 10 yrs or so, to in fact, get passed on orally as well. So, be careful! Get tested, and once clear, enjoy!

Thanks sweetie pie,your right,and your also right about getting tested...it is the responsible

thing to do...ha ha ...no more licking around without a dam,unless I know the person...

[ladylove]

I actually brought this up many months ago after seeing it on Discovery Healthy channel. So many patients are getting this now, and are linking it back to oral sex.

So, I will say it again - USE DENTAL DAMS OR CONDOMS - cause no sex is worth cancer or AIDS.

I thought this was very interesting, but Mikayla, if you are in a monogamous relationship for as long as I have (24yrs) I would think I am not at risk......

[mystofpric]

I thought this was very interesting, but Mikayla, if you are in a monogamous relationship for as long as I have (24yrs) I would think I am not at risk......

I agree. Studies say that on average a person who has been infected will fight it off within two years. Even if say your hubby had it and gave it to you, then he beats it off but you still have it, his antibodies would still be around protecting him from re-infection so once you clear it out, then your both good.

Still though, ladies when you get you annual, ask for a HPV test. Some doctors do it automatically if your pap comes back abnormal, some don't, so just always ask. Since something liek 6 million americans have HPV at any give time (80% of americans will have it once in there lifetimes....) it is a good idea to get checked...

Also, I know it's a hot topic, but Garadsil prevenst the 2 most common forms of HPV to cause cancer and the 2 most common forms of HPV to cause worts. It is UNCLEAR if this prevents the virus from causing cancer of the mouth or thoart as it is unclear (so far) which strain actually causes this. Ideally you should be between 12-26 and not yet sexually active when you get this, but doesn't hurt to talk to your doctor. I believe the FDA upped the age recently to about 32? So your insurence should cover it up to that age, again talk to your doctor though. Even if you have HPV it is still recommended that you get the vaccine because you may not have any or all of the four strains prevented.

I'm not trying to spark a debate just throwing it out there.

[littlemissnonamegirl]

....really now?

[sun_flower969]

This brings up another issue. Why is it that people are afraid to ask their potential partner about their sexual past? Will it ruin the mood??? I think an STD would ruin you mood for a lot longer!

This is gross but I will share it... When I was around 19 I contracted crabs (I know NASTY!) I am embarassed to say, still to this day, I am not sure where I got em. One night, after I had treated myself etc. I was at a party, drunk off my ass. I ended up sneaking off with a guy to the nearby dark and shady neighbors yard. We were rolling around and getting pretty hot. I kept thinking though... "what if I still have them..." So I stopped him and said, "Look here's the deal I just treated myself for crabs and although I think I am fine I just want you to know so you can make an informed decision here."

Well after battling with horniness we opted not to do it. It was hard for me to tell him but I wouldn't have felt right if I didn't say anything. Shouldn't everyone be as responsible, especially with the very serious viruses that are out there?

My sister has herpes because her then boyfriend didn't feel like telling her. Now she suffers with this for the rest of her life. WTF! The sad truth is, people hide these things! I think everyone owes it to themselves to ASK the ugly question before you get physical! With my past I am lucky that crabs was the only thing I ever caught!

Be responsible!!! Even in the heat of the moment you CAN do it!

[mystofpric]

This brings up another issue. Why is it that people are afraid to ask their potential partner about their sexual past? Will it ruin the mood??? I think an STD would ruin you mood for a lot longer!

....

Be responsible!!! Even in the heat of the moment you CAN do it!

I always tell any potential partners I have HPV at least until I finally get an all clear from my doctor. Also, I don't care how much you think or do love someone: insist on a condom or at the very least an STD test, and don';t trust them, go together, you can both get it done at teh same time.

[pappyld04]

This brings up another issue. Why is it that people are afraid to ask their potential partner about their sexual past? Will it ruin the mood??? I think an STD would ruin you mood for a lot longer!

This is gross but I will share it... When I was around 19 I contracted crabs (I know NASTY!) I am embarassed to say, still to this day, I am not sure where I got em. One night, after I had treated myself etc. I was at a party, drunk off my ass. I ended up sneaking off with a guy to the nearby dark and shady neighbors yard. We were rolling around and getting pretty hot. I kept thinking though... "what if I still have them..." So I stopped him and said, "Look here's the deal I just treated myself for crabs and although I think I am fine I just want you to know so you can make an informed decision here."

Well after battling with horniness we opted not to do it. It was hard for me to tell him but I wouldn't have felt right if I didn't say anything. Shouldn't everyone be as responsible, especially with the very serious viruses that are out there?

My sister has herpes because her then boyfriend didn't feel like telling her. Now she suffers with this for the rest of her life. WTF! The sad truth is, people hide these things! I think everyone owes it to themselves to ASK the ugly question before you get physical! With my past I am lucky that crabs was the only thing I ever caught!

Be responsible!!! Even in the heat of the moment you CAN do it!

One of my former bosses got those and was trying all he could without a pharmacy trip. One of us suggested setting his pubes on fire and stab them with an icepick when they were running out, and I came up with an iea for him to set a mirror on the floor and squat over it. Told him they'd jump off and commit suicide! I'm sure you can see he didn't get any sympathy! He was married and messing with a married woman!

[sun_flower969]

One of my former bosses got those and was trying all he could without a pharmacy trip. One of us suggested setting his pubes on fire and stab them with an icepick when they were running out, and I came up with an iea for him to set a mirror on the floor and squat over it. Told him they'd jump off and commit suicide! I'm sure you can see he didn't get any sympathy! He was married and messing with a married woman!

LOL Nice! That was the most nasty thing ever! I couldn't believe I had them! It was really hard to get rid of! They got in my hair (on my head) too. UGH now I am itchy thinking about it! LOL

[mystofpric]

LOL Nice! That was the most nasty thing ever! I couldn't believe I had them! It was really hard to get rid of! They got in my hair (on my head) too. UGH now I am itchy thinking about it! LOL

My ex-step mom had them. Dad didn;t. hmmmm. Ewww gross.

[pappyld04]

The worst part is never being able to pinpoint where they came from. I was on a workover rig at the time of the incient I spoke of and not willing to take the risk of getting them myself took all my clothes home for washing. I still don't think my wife believed me when I told her why they needed to be washed. His fucking around didn't affect only his life!

[sun_flower969]

I have a suspicion but I can't ever be sure. It was 20 years ago! I was um... busy to say the least!

[pappyld04]

There are far too many ways for them to be transferred even with no contact with the actual carrier!

[Tyger]

LOL Nice! That was the most nasty thing ever! I couldn't believe I had them! It was really hard to get rid of! They got in my hair (on my head) too. UGH now I am itchy thinking about it! LOL

All "crabs" are are the same sort of lice you get in your hair on your head. And, actually, the cleaner you are, hygenically speaking, the more likely it is that you will get them, cuz they like clean hairs!! And, if you even go to the bathroom soon after someone went that had them, they can live on surfaces for a long time, since they're alive and mobile. You may have gotten them with a lover, or sleeping on a bed that had someone in it that had the crabs, or going to the bathroom. It's really hard knowing that.

Not that I'm saying "just go bareback", cuz I'm NOT!!! But, even with a condom, you can still get crabs, because they live in HAIR, not in fluids. If you notice your potential lover itching a lot, ask to see their pubes. You can actually SEE them as white dots that will move.

So please don't think, no matter WHAT the STD is, that you're "nasty" or disgusting for getting one. It's a common, normal feeling, and it's hard to shake, due to the deep-rooted stigma that only "whores", sluts, pimps, and basically "nasty" people get STDs, when that's just not true at all.

[mystofpric]

Well said tyger! A warning to our college kids, crabs are a common dorm room break out. So be careful, and have no worries about your rep cause if the whole dorm has them it couldn't possibly just be you.