IT’S not oral sex, per se, that causes cancer, but the human papillomavirus (HPV), which can be passed from person to person during sex, including oral sex.

Researchers have found that some cancers of the oropharynx (the middle of the throat) and tonsils are probably caused by a certain type of human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV is common, but it doesn’t always cause cancer. If you aren’t exposed to HPV during oral sex, you’re not at risk for cancer.

A study published in The New England Journal of Medicine showed a greater risk for oropharyngeal cancer in people that had had oral sex with at least six different partners. The DNA signature of HPV type 16 was found more often in the cancers of people who had multiple oral sex partners.

HPV oral and oropharyngeal cancers are harder to discover than tobacco-related cancers, because the symptoms are not always obvious to the individual who is developing the disease, or to professionals that are looking for it. They can be very subtle and painless.

A dentist or doctor should evaluate any symptoms that you are concerned with, and certainly anything that has persisted for two or more weeks. Although there are many oral cancer screening tests, not all of them can find HPV positive oral and oropharyngeal cancers. The best way to screen for HPV-related oral and oropharyngeal cancer today is through a visual and tactile exam given by a medical or dental professional, who will also do an oral history taking to ask about signs and symptoms that cover things that are not visible or able to be touched.

Like other cancer screenings you engage in, such as cervical, prostate, colon, and breast examinations, oral cancer screenings are an effective means of finding cancer at it’s early, highly curable stages. However, like many other cancer screening techniques, this process is not 100 per cent effective, and any screening technique or technology can miss things. This is why it is so very important that persistent problems, those which are not resolved in a short period of time, like two to three weeks, are pursued until a definitive diagnosis of what it is is established.

Dr Sharon Robinson performs these life-saving oral cancer screenings in her office, and will be performing free cancer screenings throughout April.

ORAL CANCER SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

* An ulcer or sore that does not heal within two to three weeks

* Difficult or painful swallowing

* Pain when chewing

* A persistent sore throat or hoarse voice

* A swelling or lump in the mouth

* A painless lump felt on the outside of the neck, which has been there for at least two weeks

* A numb feeling in the mouth or lips

* Constant coughing

* An ear ache on one side (unilateral), which persists for more than a few days.

Dr Sharon Robinson DDS has offices at the Dental Place Cosmetix Spa located at Shop #5, Winchester Business Centre, 15 Hope Road, Kingston 10. She is an adjunct lecturer at the University of Technology, Jamaica School of Oral Health Sciences. Dr Robinson may be contacted at 630-4710.