Title: Young Doctor Claims Oral Sex is a Greater Risk for Throat Cancer than Smoking
By Andrew Court
Published Nov. 1, 2023, 10:57 a.m. ET
A young doctor has sparked controversy by stating that oral sex poses a greater risk for throat cancer than smoking. Dr. Daria Sadovskaya made this bold claim in a viral TikTok video despite the American Cancer Society’s emphasis on tobacco use as the leading risk factor for oropharyngeal cancer.
Responding to a TikTok user questioning her statement, Sadovskaya responded confidently with a video reaffirming her claim. The American Cancer Society does acknowledge oral sex as a potential cause of throat cancer due to the transmission of the human papillomavirus (HPV), a common sexually transmitted infection.
HPV is highly prevalent, with approximately 13 million new cases reported in the US each year. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that nearly all sexually active individuals will contract the virus at some point in their lives. While HPV typically clears up within two years, many carriers are unaware of their infection, leading to unknowing transmission.
According to Sadovskaya, men are more at risk of developing throat cancer through oral sex with women as they are more likely to carry the HPV virus in their genital area. This assertion aligns with the American Cancer Society’s findings, which indicate a 2.8% annual rise in the diagnosis of HPV-linked oropharyngeal cancer in men between 2015 and 2019.
Although rates among women rose by 1.3%, Sadovskaya advises men to use condoms during oral sex as a precautionary measure. Her TikTok video garnered 52,000 views, but some users expressed their unwillingness to give up oral sex despite the risks.
This isn’t the first time oral sex has been linked to throat cancer. Actor Michael Douglas famously claimed in 2013 that his throat cancer was caused by HPV contracted through cunnilingus.
Recent research in 2021 further supports the association between oral sex and HPV-related mouth and throat cancers. Individuals with 10 or more oral sex partners were found to be over four times more likely to develop these types of cancer.
Disturbingly, data from the CDC reveals that 41% of teens aged 15 to 19 engage in oral sex. Young people between the ages of 15 and 24 accounted for nearly half of the 26 million new sexually transmitted infections reported in 2018.
However, there is optimism that the HPV vaccine could help reduce the incidence of throat cancer in the future. While the current HPV vaccine primarily targets reproductive cancers, it also provides some protection against the strains of the virus that contribute to oropharyngeal cancer. The CDC recommends two doses of the vaccine for 11- and 12-year-olds, but individuals between the ages of 9 and 26 are eligible to receive it. Unfortunately, only 54% of adolescents had received the vaccine as of 2020.
Dr. Eric Adjei Boakye, writing for the American Association for Cancer Research, expressed concern over the low uptake of the HPV vaccine. He emphasized that over 90% of HPV-associated cancers could be prevented through vaccination.
As discussions surrounding the risks of oral sex continue, it is crucial for individuals to be aware of the potential consequences and consider taking preventative measures such as safe sex practices and HPV vaccination.