Doctor claims oral sex puts people at a higher risk of throat cancer than smoking
- Replies 7
We've learned a lot about the human body and the conditions it can fall prey to over time.
Discoveries continue to be made, and as a result, the science behind illnesses and diseases is forever evolving and improving.
While many of us are well aware that smoking poses several health risks—throat cancer being a prominent one—a doctor has recently claimed that a particular intimate act actually presents a higher risk for this type of cancer.
Dr Daria Sadovskaya raised quite a few eyebrows on social media when she boldly touted oral sex as a greater risk factor than smoking, despite the American Cancer Society’s (ACS) claims that tobacco use is the number-one risk factor for oropharyngeal cancer.
Her alarming declaration appeared in a popular video on social media.
'Are you saying oral sex is proven to be the number one cause of throat cancer?' one commenter asked.
To which the doctor responded, unwilling to relent: 'I said what I said.'
The ACS did state that oral sex can be a potential cause of throat cancer due to the transmission of Human Papillomavirus (HPV).
HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection, with an estimated 13 million new cases in the US each year.
This infection is so widespread that the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that 'nearly all sexually active men and women get the virus at some point in their lives'.
Most people don’t realise they have the disease as it usually goes away on its own after two years, making it easier to spread to partners.
According to Dr Sadovskaya: 'Men are more likely to develop throat cancer performing oral sex on women, as women are more likely to carry the [HPV] virus in their genital area.'
Rates were also high among women, and as suggested by Dr Sadovskaya, a protective measure that men can adopt is using condoms when receiving oral sex.
The video has now been viewed over 54,000 times, with some expressing they weren’t prepared to give up oral sex despite the apparent risk.
'This won’t stop me,' one fearlessly said.
You can watch the doctor’s video below:
Source: TikTok/@sadovskaya_doctor.
Actor Michael Douglas notably revealed in 2013 that his throat cancer was caused by HPV contracted through oral sex.
'Without wanting to get too specific, this particular cancer is caused by HPV, which comes about from cunnilingus,' he said.
In 2021, studies showed that people with ten or more oral sex partners were four times more likely to develop HPV-related mouth and throat cancers.
But it’s not all doom and gloom—recent research suggests that the HPV vaccine may help decrease the rates of throat cancer in the future.
It is currently administered to prevent reproductive cancers, but the CDC agrees that it offers protection against the virus strains causing oropharyngeal cancer, too.
The Department of Health and Aged Care recommends HPV vaccination for those who are aged 9 to 25, with significant immunocompromising conditions, and for men who have sex with men.
The vaccine is also said to be accessible under the National Immunisation Program for those aged 12 to 13 and is primarily provided through school immunisation programs.
Adolescents who missed the HPV vaccination at 12 to 13 years of age can catch up for free up to age 26.
Remember to consult your GP to know more about this disease.
Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
Discoveries continue to be made, and as a result, the science behind illnesses and diseases is forever evolving and improving.
While many of us are well aware that smoking poses several health risks—throat cancer being a prominent one—a doctor has recently claimed that a particular intimate act actually presents a higher risk for this type of cancer.
Dr Daria Sadovskaya raised quite a few eyebrows on social media when she boldly touted oral sex as a greater risk factor than smoking, despite the American Cancer Society’s (ACS) claims that tobacco use is the number-one risk factor for oropharyngeal cancer.
Her alarming declaration appeared in a popular video on social media.
A doctor claimed that oral sex puts people at a higher risk of throat cancer than smoking. Image source: Freepik.
'Are you saying oral sex is proven to be the number one cause of throat cancer?' one commenter asked.
To which the doctor responded, unwilling to relent: 'I said what I said.'
The ACS did state that oral sex can be a potential cause of throat cancer due to the transmission of Human Papillomavirus (HPV).
HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection, with an estimated 13 million new cases in the US each year.
This infection is so widespread that the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that 'nearly all sexually active men and women get the virus at some point in their lives'.
Most people don’t realise they have the disease as it usually goes away on its own after two years, making it easier to spread to partners.
According to Dr Sadovskaya: 'Men are more likely to develop throat cancer performing oral sex on women, as women are more likely to carry the [HPV] virus in their genital area.'
Rates were also high among women, and as suggested by Dr Sadovskaya, a protective measure that men can adopt is using condoms when receiving oral sex.
The video has now been viewed over 54,000 times, with some expressing they weren’t prepared to give up oral sex despite the apparent risk.
'This won’t stop me,' one fearlessly said.
You can watch the doctor’s video below:
Source: TikTok/@sadovskaya_doctor.
Actor Michael Douglas notably revealed in 2013 that his throat cancer was caused by HPV contracted through oral sex.
'Without wanting to get too specific, this particular cancer is caused by HPV, which comes about from cunnilingus,' he said.
In 2021, studies showed that people with ten or more oral sex partners were four times more likely to develop HPV-related mouth and throat cancers.
But it’s not all doom and gloom—recent research suggests that the HPV vaccine may help decrease the rates of throat cancer in the future.
It is currently administered to prevent reproductive cancers, but the CDC agrees that it offers protection against the virus strains causing oropharyngeal cancer, too.
The Department of Health and Aged Care recommends HPV vaccination for those who are aged 9 to 25, with significant immunocompromising conditions, and for men who have sex with men.
The vaccine is also said to be accessible under the National Immunisation Program for those aged 12 to 13 and is primarily provided through school immunisation programs.
Adolescents who missed the HPV vaccination at 12 to 13 years of age can catch up for free up to age 26.
Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
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