2023-04-29 12:00:00
4,993 new cases of oropharyngeal cancer were recorded in France in 2018, according to Public Health France. There are 3,793 in men and 1,200 in women. This disease affects the area of the tonsils and the back of the throat.
Oropharyngeal cancer caused by the papillomavirus
The vast majority of oropharyngeal cancers are caused by infection with the virus of the human papillomavirus (HPV), according to Canadian Cancer Society. Thus, unprotected oral sex is therefore very risky for this disease. “HPV infection is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI), according Public Health France. Nearly 80% of people (men and women combined) will be infected during their lifetime. Most of the time, the infection is transient because the body spontaneously eliminates the virus. But in nearly 10% of cases, the papillomavirus persists. If it is a so-called ‘high-risk’ HPV, it can develop into cancer.” Cancer of the cervix but also, now, that of l’oropharynx.
Sexual intercourse: even without penetration, you have to protect yourself
As Sida info service reminds us on Twitter, it is essential to protect yourself, even if there is no penetration during the sexual act: male or female condom. Regular screening is also very important.
As Hisham Mehanna, a professor at the Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences at the University of Birmingham, explains in an article published by The Conversation“HPV vaccination of young girls has been implemented in many countries to prevent cervical cancer. Now, more and more evidence (…) shows that it can also be effective in preventing HPV infection in the mouth. There is also evidence showing that boys are also protected by ‘herd immunity’ in countries where girls’ vaccination coverage is high (over 85%). Taken together, this could hopefully lead in a few decades to the reduction of oropharyngeal cancer.” According to Hisham Mehanna, boys should also be vaccinated against HPV.
However, even though the figures for oropharyngeal cancer are on the rise, it is possible that HPV is eliminated from the body. However, this disease can be fatal. For cases diagnosed between 2010 and 2015, Public Health France estimated 5-year survival was 41% in men and 53% in women.
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