Oral Sex Can Increase Your Cancer Risks

Be careful what you put in your mouth

. . . But Going To The Dentist Could Help

Forget smoking and drinking, there's something that can increase your chances of the Big C even more -- oral sex.

Health and dental experts in the Philippines are warning that engaging in oral sex with a partner who has genital warts can seriously increase your risk of cancer. The finding was tackled at a recent scientific conference as part of this year’s celebration of National Cancer Consciousness Week.

Read: Tips For Better Oral Sex

The scariest part? At least half of all sexually active people will become infected with the virus at some point, and most people infected will not have any visible signs, or symptoms at all.

According to the New England Journal of Medicine, people who have had more than five oral sex partners were nine times more likely to have cancer of the tonsils, tongue or throat.

“The popular practice of unprotected oral sex can lead to various infections of the oral cavity. Recurrent infections of the mouth can result in the formation of oral cancers” the Philippine Medical Association relayed at the conference.

Read: Breast Cancer Screening: More Bad Than Good?

A related study conducted by the Manila Dental Chapter showed a 15-percent prevalence of oral lesions among residents. At least 1.5 percent were in the pre-cancer and oral cancer stage. A regular checkup with a dentist will help detect malignancies in the mouth, advises Dr. Anne Camus.

Happy Wednesday!

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