The human papillomavirus increasingly is being identified as the cause of head and neck cancers, prompting some physicians to guess that the genesis of the cancers might be oral sex, the Raleigh News & Observer reports. David Brizel, an oncologist at Duke University who specializes in head and neck cancers, said, "A third of head and neck cancers we see nowadays are [related to] HPV."

Although few studies have established a direct link between oral sex, through which HPV can be transmitted, and head and neck cancers, recent studies published in both European and U.S. medical journals have noted an increase in head and neck cancers stemming from HPV infections. In addition, a 2007 study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found a correlation between oral HPV cancers and a high number of oral sex partners, while earlier studies found an increase in head and neck cancers among men whose wives had HPV-based cervical cancers.

However, Peter Cartwright, a gynecologic specialist at Duke, said he is not certain that oral sex is the cause of HPV-related head and neck cancers. He argued that most people contract the virus during their lifetime with no lasting harm and that it could also be spread on hands, food utensils and other items. He also noted, "Are you saying that oral sex is more common now than 30 years ago? I don't think so."

His argument is supported by findings of behavioral studies conducted by the Guttmacher Institute. Rebecca Wind, a spokesperson for the institute, said that researchers have found no increase in oral sex over the past few decades (Avery, Raleigh News & Observer, 7/24).

Reprinted with kind permission from nationalpartnership. You can view the entire Daily Women's Health Policy Report, search the archives, or sign up for email delivery here. The Daily Women's Health Policy Report is a free service of the National Partnership for Women & Families.

© 2010 National Partnership for Women & Families. All rights reserved.