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Review
. 2016 Jul;95(28):e4228.
doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000004228.

Oral sex and oropharyngeal cancer: The role of the primary care physicians

Nam P Nguyen  1 , Ly M Nguyen, Sroka Thomas, Bevan Hong-Ly, Alexander Chi, Paul Vos, Ulf Karlsson, Vincent Vinh-Hung; International Geriatric Radiation Oncology Group
Affiliations
Review

Oral sex and oropharyngeal cancer: The role of the primary care physicians

Nam P Nguyen et al. Medicine (Baltimore). 2016 Jul.

Abstract

Background: We aimed to study the prevalence of oral sex and its possible association with human papillomavirus (HPV) 16 infection in the development of oropharyngeal cancer in the US population for possible prevention.

Methods: We conduct a systemic review on the prevalence of oral sex among Americans among different age groups, the prevalence of HPV 16 infection reported in oropharyngeal cancer, and correlation between oral sex and oropharyngeal cancer.

Results: Oral sex is prevalent among adolescents and sexually active adults. Sixty percent of oropharyngeal cancer reported in the United States is associated with HPV 16 infections. Individuals who practiced oral sex with multiple partners are at risk for developing oropharyngeal cancer and need to be informed about practicing safe sex or getting vaccination.

Conclusion: Family physicians will play a key role in prevention and educating the public about the risk of oral sex.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Prisma flow diagram of included studies.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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