NPR & CBS News just reported new data showing that 64 percent of all cancers of the oral cavity, head, and neck are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), which is usually spread to the mouth and surrounding areas via oral sex. Turns out that anyone with six or more lifetime oral sex partners has an eight-fold higher risk of these kinds of cancers than someone who has never had oral sex before.
The problem is that men can't be tested for HPV so being mindful of your number of sexual partners is key. The good news is that 42,000 people will be diagnosed with oral cancer, which is surprisingly on the low side (in comparison to other cancers at least). If this doesn't make you afraid to "take a trip downtown" you may be with the higher risk to contract herpes, gonorrhea, or chlamydia.
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