Sexual behaviours and head and neck cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Increased risk of oropharyngeal cancers mediated by oral human papillomavirus infection: Results from a Canadian study

“…Our results are in accordance with a recent meta-analysis that reported associations between lifetime number of oral sex partners and head and neck cancers, 30 and previous studies that linked oral sex behaviors with oral HPV infection and head and neck cancer. Our results are in accordance with a recent meta-analysis that reported associations between lifetime number of oral sex partners and head and neck cancers, 30 and previous studies that linked oral sex behaviors with oral HPV infection and head and neck cancer.…”

“…22,23 In addition to sharing histopathological features, cervical and head and neck cancers had similar risk factors, for example, higher number of sexual partners, younger age at first intercourse, practice of oral sex, and history of genital warts. 30 We address these inconsistencies by using data from a large case-control study conducted in Montreal, Canada, to estimate the extent to which life course oral sex practice is associated with an increased risk of OPC, and how much of the association is mediated by oral HPV infection. The observed discrepancies may be explained by the choice of oral sexual behavior indicators, confounding effects, or statistical strategy used.…”

The changing aetiology of head and neck squamous cell cancer: A tale of three cancers?

“…The prevalence of the established risk factors of smoking and alcohol was similar to that observed in people with oropharyngeal cancer but again less for giving oral sex. Oral cavity cancer is not typically associated with HPV infection and the risk factor profile for people with oral cavity cancer does not suggest aetiology related to sexual behaviour.…”

Oral sex and human papilloma virus-related head and neck squamous cell cancer: a review of the literature

“…Patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx were significantly more likely to have engaged in oral sex (OR 3.5) than patients with squamous cell carcinoma of non-oropharyngeal head and neck sites 15. A systematic review and meta-analysis of sexual behaviours and head and neck cancers suggested an increased risk of head and neck cancers with a higher number of oral sex partners (summarised OR 1.69) 40. Another meta-analysis suggested that oral sex is a risk marker rather than an independent risk factor for oral cancer 41.…”

“…The authors showed that having more than one sexual partner conferred odds of 2.4 for developing HPV-positive HNSCC 10. A meta-analysis suggested an increased risk of head and neck cancer with an increase in the number of sexual partners (OR 1.29) 40. As the number of sexual partners increases, there is an increased likelihood of patients having HPV16-positive HNSCC.…”