A lovely new way to die!
May. 10th, 2007 11:58 amWe all know about the link between the papilloma virus and cervical cancer, right? More bad news:
People who have had more than five oral-sex partners in their lifetime are 250% more likely to have throat cancer than those who do not have oral sex, a new study suggests.
The researchers believe this is because oral sex may transmit human papillomavirus (HPV), the virus implicated in the majority of cervical cancers.
no subject
Date: 2007-05-10 07:09 pm (UTC)Entirely coincidentally, the makers of the new (and currently staggeringly expensive) HPV vaccines are eager for a programme to vaccinate every girl in the country.
HPV is implicated in anal cancer too, but even amongst gay and bisexual men, it only affects 35 in 100,000 men. Memory is telling me the figures are even lower for throat cancers.
no subject
Date: 2007-05-10 07:47 pm (UTC)Given a choice between the profit-seeking pharma companies and the eschaton-seeking fundies, I'm pretty happy casting my lot in with the former-- the patents on Gardasil will eventually expire after all.
no subject
Date: 2007-05-10 07:59 pm (UTC)The article states throat cancer affects 2 in 100,000 in the general adult population.