Doctor Shares How Much Oral Sex Can Actually Lead to Throat Cancer Risk
A doctor has shared some important facts about throat cancer and how it can be caused by things we might not expect. Many people do not know that oral sex can raise a person’s risk of getting throat cancer. This kind of cancer is becoming more common. In America, about 54,010 adults will get oral or oropharyngeal cancer in their lifetime, says the Mesothelioma Centre. Men are twice as likely as women to get it.
How Throat Cancer Develops
Throat cancer can be caused by smoking or by something called HPV. HPV stands for human papillomavirus. It is a group of more than 100 viruses. HPV is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections, or STIs, in the world.
Most people who get HPV will not get cancer. Their bodies get rid of the virus. But a few people cannot clear the virus. Doctors think this might be because their immune systems do not work as well. For these people, the virus can stay in the body for a long time. Over time, HPV can become part of a person’s DNA. This can make cells in the throat turn into cancer cells.
Expert Advice from Dr. Mehanna
Dr. Hisham Mehanna from the University of Birmingham says that throat cancer is rising quickly in the West. He wrote in The Conversation: “Over the past two decades, there has been a rapid increase in throat cancer in the West, to the extent that some have called it an epidemic.”
He also said, “The prevailing theory is that most of us catch HPV infections and are able to clear them completely. However, a small number of people are not able to get rid of the infection, maybe due to a defect in a particular aspect of their immune system. In those patients, the virus is able to replicate continuously, and over time integrates at random positions into the host’s DNA, some of which can cause the host cells to become cancerous.”
How Many Partners Increases Risk?
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Dr. Mehanna says the number of oral sex partners is the “main risk factor” for getting oropharyngeal cancer. But how many partners does it take to make the risk higher?
The answer is: “Those with six or more lifetime oral-sex partners are 8.5 times more likely to develop oropharyngeal cancer than those who do not practise oral sex," said Dr. Mehanna.
But you do not have to be scared. Knowing about the risk helps you make healthy choices. HPV can be treated before it turns into cancer. In many places, girls are given the HPV vaccine to stop cervical cancer. This vaccine might also help prevent HPV infections in the mouth. If many girls get the vaccine, boys are also protected because of something called “herd immunity.” This happens when lots of people are vaccinated, so the virus cannot spread easily.
New Research Findings
If you ever feel something is wrong in your throat or mouth, tell your doctor. It is also smart to get tested often if you have unprotected sexual contact. Getting help early is always best.
If you want to talk to someone about cancer, you can call the American Cancer Society at 1-800-227-2345. They have a live chat, too, and it is open all day, every day.
Party Habits and Cancer Risk
There is another important study about cancer. It shows that things people do at parties can also raise the risk of cancer. Many people think cancer only happens to older people. But more young people are getting cancer now, too.
Colon cancer is a big problem. It is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in America. In 2023, 153,020 people were told they had colon cancer. Over 52,000 people died from it that year.
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A new study from Germany found that smoking and drinking alcohol can raise your risk for colon cancer. If a person smokes 100 cigarettes in their life, their chance of getting colon cancer goes up by 59% compared to people who never smoke.
The study also found that drinking alcohol every day, even just one or two drinks, raises your risk of getting colon cancer by 39%. “Alcohol consumption and smoking are significant risk factors for EOCRC and should be addressed in the context of prevention,” the researchers wrote. “These results clearly suggest that alcohol consumption is associated with a significantly increased risk of CRC at any age.”
Health Expert Warning
The group Bowel Cancer UK says that alcohol and smoking are linked to more cancer risk. They explain, “Alcohol is linked to an increased risk of developing several types of cancer, including bowel cancer. Alcohol can damage the cells that line the inside of the bowel, which makes it more likely for cancer to develop.” They also say, “To reduce the risk of cancer, it’s best to not drink alcohol.” If you do drink, drinking less will help lower your risk. The advice is to have no more than 14 units of alcohol in a week and to spread those drinks out. Try to have at least two days each week with no alcohol at all.
Smoking also makes you more likely to get colon cancer. People who smoke can get polyps in their bowels. Polyps are small growths that are not cancer, but they can turn into cancer if not removed.
Healthy Drinks That May Help
Some good news is that there are drinks and foods that can help lower your risk of cancer. Dr. Sethi, a gastroenterologist, says that drinking a green smoothie every day is a simple way to help your body. In a YouTube video, he explained: “Blend leafy greens like spinach or kale with cucumber, celery and a little ginger. It is nutrient-dense and anti-inflammatory.”
Green smoothies are easy to make at home. They are good for people who are busy because you can drink them on the go. Healthline says, “It’s not always easy to get the daily 2 1/2 cups of fruits and vegetables that the American Cancer Society recommends to prevent cancer and disease.” Using a blender helps you eat more healthy foods. Smoothies with greens and fruits are better than juice because they have more fiber and less sugar.
Here is a simple recipe for a green smoothie: Take one big cup of spinach, one cup of coconut water, half a cup of frozen pineapple, half a banana, and a quarter of an avocado. Blend them all together. You can try other fruits and veggies, too.
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Simple Steps to Take
Moving your body is another way to lower your cancer risk. Dr. Mhairi Morris from Loughborough University in the UK wrote: “At 7,000 steps, the risk of developing cancer dropped by 11%. At 9,000 steps, it dropped by 16%.” Walking more helps, but after 9,000 steps, you do not get much extra benefit.
There are many ways to take care of your health. Eating more fruits and vegetables, getting enough exercise, and not smoking are good for you. Drinking less alcohol is also a smart choice.
How Sleep Affects Health and Relationships
Getting enough sleep is important for your health. Not sleeping well can make you feel tired, grumpy, and make it hard to remember things. Experts at Dreams’ Sleep Matters Club say, “It can also mess with our memory, and over time, sleep deprivation can contribute to long-term health issues, including problems with the immune system and heart health.”
One thing that can make sleep hard is when someone snores or moves around a lot at night. Some couples decide to have a “sleep divorce.” This means they sleep in different beds, even though they are still together.
The Sleep Divorce Trend
Sleep device maker ResMed did a survey and found that 61% of people who sleep apart from their partner say they sleep better. Almost 18% of couples sleep in separate beds every night in the US and UK.
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Sleeping apart is not just for regular people. Some famous people, like Cameron Diaz and her husband Benji Madden, do it too.
Good and Bad Things About Sleep Divorce
Sleeping in separate beds can help some people feel more rested. Dr. Alison Wimms said, “26% said it improved their relationship, and almost 16% noted a positive impact on their sex life.” She explained, “Sleeping separately can also improve sleep quality by reducing disturbances from different schedules, snoring, or movement during sleep.”
Other people say that sleeping alone gives them more space, better rest, and less fighting about sleep.
But not everyone thinks sleeping apart is good for a relationship. Dr. Carol Ash, a sleep expert, says sleeping together helps people’s sleep patterns match up. She told TODAY, “When you sleep with a bed partner, you have synchronization and stabilization of the pattern of sleep brain waves.”
Sydney couple’s therapist Shahn Baker Sorekli also thinks sleeping together can help couples feel close. He said, “The main reason is coming together at the end of the night allows for a bit of a nice routine for the relationship where you can have a moment of connection and intimacy.” This could be just a small snuggle or reading together before bed.
Some people who started sleeping apart said their relationship and sex life got worse. About one in five people who had a “sleep divorce” shared this.
Castlecore: A New Trend to Watch
There is a new trend called “castlecore.” Some people like the idea of living in castles or pretending they are in a fairy tale. “Castlecore” is now a style for clothes and home decorating. But it is also showing up in people’s personal lives.
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What Is Castlecore?
People who follow castlecore like to dress in old-fashioned clothes, like corsets. Some even use fantasy toys inspired by dragons or other creatures. Annabelle Knight, a UK expert, says, “Let’s face it, reality can be a bit dull sometimes, so who wouldn’t want to dive into a world filled with sexy fairies and forbidden romance?” She believes these fantasies let people play with ideas in a safe way.
Risks of Castlecore Fashion
But there can be dangers, too. Tight corsets, which were popular in old times, can make it hard to breathe. The Royal College of Surgeons of England says that long ago, women sometimes fainted because corsets were so tight. Tight corsets can squeeze your organs and make it hard to digest food. Over a long time, they might even change the shape of your ribs and make your back muscles weak.
It is also important to use any toys safely and follow the instructions.
What This Means For You
To sum up, there are many things you can do to help keep yourself healthy:
- Try not to smoke or drink too much alcohol.
- Eat more fruits and veggies.
- Move your body every day.
- Sleep well at night.
- Talk to your doctor if you notice anything strange in your body.
- Be careful with new trends and make sure they are safe.
If you ever feel worried or need help, there are people ready to talk to you. The American Cancer Society is always there to answer your questions.
Staying healthy is not always easy, but every small step helps. You can make smart choices for your body and mind. Remember, knowledge is power!
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