PMA: Oral sex can cause cancer

Oral sex can indeed cause throat cancer. An official of the Philippine Medical Association (PMA) made this assertion yesterday amid the controversy triggered by reports that actor Michael Douglas blamed oral sex with women for his throat cancer.

PMA president Leo Olarte said cancercausing human papilloma virus (HPV) can be transmitted through oral sex.

“If you do oral sex, especially with multiple partners, the risk of contracting HPV is higher. You can acquire the virus if you get lesions in your mouth or if your throat becomes swollen,” Olarte said.

Douglas told British newspaper The Guardian that he believes his throat cancer was caused by an infection he acquired from engaging in oral sex.

“Without wanting to get too specific, this particular cancer is caused by HPV which comes from cunnilingus,” he said.

The Hollywood actor later denied that he was referring to his cancer.

Olarte said anyone could be carriers of HPV without manifesting illness and transfer the virus through oral sex. HPV can also cause cervical cancer.

“This is the reason why it important for us to have one partner because if you have multiple sex partners, the risk of getting the virus is high,” he said.

Olarte said the number of throat cancer cases in the country appears to be on the rise, citing the increasing number of consultations. He said this could be because people are becoming more sexually adventurous.

“I think one of the reasons also why they engage in oral sex is that they want to avoid pregnancy,” he added.