The Cancer Association of Zimbabwe (CAZ) has issued a strong warning to young people about the dangers of engaging in risky oral sex practices, highlighting that such activities can significantly increase the risk of transmitting the Human Papillomavirus (HPV), much like any form of unprotected sex.
This caution comes in response to recent research from global oncologists that indicates a concerning rise in oral cancers linked to oral sex, particularly among individuals with multiple sexual partners in the UK and the US.
Since the mid-2000s, there has been a notable increase in cases of oropharyngeal cancer, a specific type of oral cancer, with HPV identified as a leading cause in these countries. In Zimbabwe, cervical cancer remains the most prevalent HPV-related cancer, accounting for over 30% of the nation’s cancer cases. However, there have also been reports of other HPV-associated cancers, including oral, penile, and vulvar cancers, although these occur at lower rates.
Lovemore Makurirofa, Monitoring and Evaluation Coordinator for CAZ, shared insights during an interview with HealthTimes, stating that oral sex is indeed a risk factor for HPV-related cancers.
“While our data does not indicate a sharp increase in oral cancer cases—fewer than 10 cases per year—it’s crucial to educate the public about the potential risks associated with oral sex and HPV,” he said.
Makurirofa emphasized that, despite the low incidence of oral cancers in Zimbabwe, raising awareness about the connection between oral sex and HPV-related cancers remains essential.
“Other HPV-related cancers, such as penile and vulvar cancers, also show no significant increase in Zimbabwe, but they could still be linked to HPV,” he noted. He acknowledged the need for further research to determine if the few oral cancer cases identified are directly attributable to HPV or oral sex, as more testing is required to establish these links.
While oral cancers can develop independently of HPV infection, there remains a risk of HPV transmission during oral sex. Once contracted, HPV can lead to cellular changes that may result in cancer. Oral sex is also associated with various health issues, including mouth rashes.
Additionally, recent data from the Zimbabwe National Cancer Registry indicates a rise in oesophageal cancer among both men and women. In men, oesophageal cancer accounts for 10% of all cancer deaths, ranking second only to prostate cancer at 23%. For women, it represents 6% of cancer fatalities, making it the third leading cause of cancer deaths, following cervical cancer (22.5%) and breast cancer (12.9%).
Makurirofa pointed out, “There is also an increase in oesophageal cancer. While it can be linked to HPV, we currently lack sufficient data to confirm if these cases in Zimbabwe are HPV-related. This area warrants further investigation by the registry.” He stressed the importance of informing the public, especially young people, about the risks associated with oral sex.
Dr. Hisham Mehanna, an oncologist at the University of Birmingham in the UK, highlighted in his research that individuals with six or more lifetime oral sex partners are 8.5 times more likely to develop oral cancer compared to those who do not engage in oral sex. His study revealed that 80% of men and women partake in oral sex at some point, with surveys indicating an upward trend, particularly among women.
