Oral sex = Cancer???

[Doc Alan]

I have my doubts about the value of a detailed quotation from the USA perspective on oral cancer. I have already posted on human papilloma vaccines under the "Filipino UK Health" thread which attracted 1/6 replies and 1/5 views compared to "Lessons in Hatred and Violence".
For the minority who do find health important, oral cancer has always been much commoner in the Philippines compared to the UK (and USA). The main causes are smoking, betel nut chewing, alcohol consumption, and poor dental health. In the UK there are over 5,000 cases (and about 2,000 deaths) / year, it's commoner in men, and most cases occur over the age of 50. It is the rates of oral cancer in young people which has increased - more than double in the past 3 decades in the UK - and is related to oral HPV infection. This in turn is related to sexual partners and oral sex.
HPV vaccine is available in UK and Philippines for females in prevention of cervical cancer. It's best given before sexual activity starts. Routine cervical screening ("smear test") must also continue.
There could now be a case for vaccinating boys against HPV before they start having sex. Inevitably there are implications, not least the cost, for attempting to vaccinate the entire teenage population, whether on the NHS or bought directly as in the Philippines.
There are several types of oral cancer. Early warning signs include non-healing ulcers of lips or tongue, white scaly areas in the mouth, swollen lips or gums with or without pain, and bleeding for no obvious reason. Awareness of this, and a visit to the dentist, could result in early diagnosis ( biopsy), and the only hope of cure.

[Terpe]

I have my doubts about the value of a detailed quotation from the USA perspective on oral cancer. I have already posted on human papilloma vaccines under the "Filipino UK Health" thread which attracted 1/6 replies and 1/48 views compared to "Lessons in Hatred and Violence".
For the minority who do find health important, oral cancer has always been much commoner in the Philippines compared to the UK (and USA). The main causes are smoking, betel nut chewing, alcohol consumption, and poor dental health. In the UK there are over 5,000 cases (and about 2,000 deaths) / year, it's commoner in men, and most cases occur over the age of 50. It is the rates of oral cancer in young people which has increased - more than double in the past 3 decades in the UK - and is related to oral HPV infection. This in turn is related to sexual partners and oral sex.
HPV vaccine is available in UK and Philippines for females in prevention of cervical cancer. It's best given before sexual activity starts. Routine cervical screening ("smear test") must also continue.
There could now be a case for vaccinating boys against HPV before they start having sex. Inevitably there are implications, not least the cost, for attempting to vaccinate the entire teenage population, whether on the NHS or bought directly as in the Philippines.
There are several types of oral cancer. Early warning signs include non-healing ulcers of lips or tongue, white scaly areas in the mouth, swollen lips or gums with or without pain, and bleeding for no obvious reason. Awareness of this, and a visit to the dentist, could result in early diagnosis ( biopsy), and the only hope of cure.

This is a great reply Doc. Thanks for your effort.

[purple]

I agree with you Doc. This seems to be serious doubts for giving this information in public. I hope they are not coming up with some drug that do more damage than cure. As some pharmaceutical companies don't give that much information when it comes to toxicity.

I have my doubts about the value of a detailed quotation from the USA perspective on oral cancer. I have already posted on human papilloma vaccines under the "Filipino UK Health" thread which attracted 1/6 replies and 1/48 views compared to "Lessons in Hatred and Violence".
For the minority who do find health important, oral cancer has always been much commoner in the Philippines compared to the UK (and USA). The main causes are smoking, betel nut chewing, alcohol consumption, and poor dental health. In the UK there are over 5,000 cases (and about 2,000 deaths) / year, it's commoner in men, and most cases occur over the age of 50. It is the rates of oral cancer in young people which has increased - more than double in the past 3 decades in the UK - and is related to oral HPV infection. This in turn is related to sexual partners and oral sex.
HPV vaccine is available in UK and Philippines for females in prevention of cervical cancer. It's best given before sexual activity starts. Routine cervical screening ("smear test") must also continue.
There could now be a case for vaccinating boys against HPV before they start having sex. Inevitably there are implications, not least the cost, for attempting to vaccinate the entire teenage population, whether on the NHS or bought directly as in the Philippines.
There are several types of oral cancer. Early warning signs include non-healing ulcers of lips or tongue, white scaly areas in the mouth, swollen lips or gums with or without pain, and bleeding for no obvious reason. Awareness of this, and a visit to the dentist, could result in early diagnosis ( biopsy), and the only hope of cure.