Does Oral Sex Increase Your Risk For Oral Cancer?

By Delores Pittman, DDS

There was a time when most oral cancers were often caused by tobacco and alcohol use. That is quickly changing. Now, 65% of all oral cancers have been linked to Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). HPV is presently the most common sexually transmitted disease (STD) in the United States. Fourteen million persons become infected each year. Oral cancer has increased by six times in the last 10 years due to HPV while incidence of other cancers is declining.

HPV cancers are 6-7 times more common in men than in women. Over 8,400 people per year are diagnosed with oral cancer that was caused by HPV.

HPV can cause six different types of cancer:

Anal
Vulva
Cervix
Penis
Vagina
Oropharyngeal

Currently, cervical cancer is the only type of HPV cancer that has a screening test, the PAP smear or HPV test. Other types of HPV cancer can go undetected until the cancer becomes problematic.

Most STDs are spread through intimate contact with mucosal membranes. The HPV virus is no exception. Although not conclusively proven, oral sex is a likely mode of transmission for the HPV virus.

Having sores in the mouth or genitalia, bleeding gums, or gum disease can increase the risk of contracting HPV (or other STDs) through oral sex.

Signs and Symptoms of Oral Cancer:

A sore or ulcer in the mouth that does not heal
Pain in mouth, on face or near ears
Difficulty chewing, swallowing, or a sensation that something is caught in the throat
Difficulty with or pain upon moving the jaw
A white or red discoloration on the gums, tongue, inner cheeks, or tonsils
Numbness of the tongue
A swelling or mass on the palate, tongue, lips, cheeks, or in the neck
Persistent cough, sore throat or hoarseness
Shifting or loosening teeth, dentures that do not fit the same

Cancer may not evolve until decades after exposure and is not easily detected. Too often, by the time signs or symptoms are noticeable; the cancer is already in stage 3.

Early detection is crucial. An oral cancer screening exam is an essential first step to locate and identify potential areas of concern. In the case of HPV cancers, the sooner a suspicious lesion or lump is discovered and treated, the better. A dentist will perform a careful visual and tactile inspection of the head and neck region. Some offices use additional aid such as a fluorescent light (Velscope or Vizilite) to help the dentist to spot abnormal changes in the mucous membranes (lining) of the mouth.