‘Kissing Can Pass on the Human Papilloma Virus Which Increases Head & Neck Cancer Risk’ – Expert

The humble French kiss can pass on human papilloma virus (HPV), and Head of Maxillofacial and Head and neck Surgery at the Royal Darwin Hospital, Dr Mahiban Thomas, said the virus was responsible for 70% of head and neck cancer cases.

Dr Thomas said if you became infected by HPV in the oropharynx, your risk of developing head and neck cancer was 250 times higher than that of someone without the virus.

While most commonly associated with cervical cancers, HPV can affect both men and women.

There are more than 100 types of the virus, but only about eight ‘high risk’ strains of HPV can cause cancers in the oropharynx.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said studies suggest Oral HPV could be passed on during oral sex or open-mouthed or ‘French’ kissing, and about 7% of people have oral HPV, but only 1% of people have the type of oral HPV that is found in oropharyngeal cancers.

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Dr Thomas said your risk of contracting the HPV virus increased with the number of French kissing partners you had, and people underrated the risks associated with oral sex.

Source: DailyMail