A leading medical expert has issued a warning about the rising risk of throat cancer linked to oral sex, revealing exactly how much is considered too much when it comes to increasing your chances of developing the disease. According to Dr. Hisham Mehanna of the University of Birmingham, people with six or more lifetime oral sex partners are 8.5 times more likely to develop oropharyngeal cancer than those who do not engage in the act at all.
The cancer, which affects the throat, tonsils, and back of the tongue, has been on the rise in the West over the past two decades—something Dr. Mehanna describes as an “epidemic.” The primary culprit? The human papillomavirus, or HPV, a common sexually transmitted infection that can linger in the body and trigger cancerous changes in some individuals, particularly those who are unable to clear the virus naturally due to immune system factors.
Most people who contract HPV don’t experience long-term effects, but a small percentage can develop persistent infections. In those cases, the virus can embed itself into the host’s DNA and eventually cause cancerous mutations, often years later. The number of oral sex partners dramatically increases the risk of exposure to high-risk HPV strains.
While the numbers sound alarming, doctors stress that this doesn’t mean panic is necessary. Prevention remains powerful. The HPV vaccine, already widely administered to young women to prevent cervical cancer, may also help prevent oral infections—and offers indirect protection to young men through herd immunity, especially in countries where vaccine coverage exceeds 85%.
Doctors encourage regular check-ups, honest conversations with healthcare providers, and getting tested if you’re sexually active. Staying informed, getting vaccinated, and practicing safer sex can go a long way in keeping these rising cancer rates in check.
